 |
|
Good morning Precinct 2! I hope that you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This newsletter contains updated information on current road projects, highlights from 2017, a spotlight on The Woodlands College Park High School, and much more. But first, do you ever notice these barricade arms on the side of the road? Read below the picture to find out how they make our emergency management more efficient.
These were installed by the Precinct 2 Commissioner's office where roads are known to flood. When the roads are no longer passable, emergency personnel can immediately lower the arms and get back to their service to our community (without having to call the county to bring barricades out). The barricades ensure residents are aware of the flooded road danger and can avoid life threatening emergencies.
We've done many things in Pct 2 to help protect our citizens from the damage flood waters can cause. Learn more about other flooding precautionary measures taken by our office by clicking here.
I hope to see you soon!
|
Research Forest
The Research Forest construction began in June of 2015. The expected completion was 1 year but the construction crews are reporting that they should be done in February.
McCaleb Road
A construction company was selected and they have already begun clearing the right of way to widen this road. This project will add two additional lanes and one turn lane. Expected completion is end of 2018.
FM 1488 @149 (Magnolia High School)
This is a Texas Department of Transportation project (all numbered roads are handled by TXDOT). TXDOT officials have reported to our office that two lanes of the overpass should be open in February. The remaining lanes will be constructed in the Summer after the railroad as relocated their traffic arms.
FM 1774
This is a Texas Department of Transportation project (all numbered roads are handled by TXDOT). TXDOT officials have reported to our office that they plan to pour concrete for the current stretch of construction very soon. Once that side is striped, traffic will be moved to the South bound side and residents will once again have a middle lane. After traffic is moved over, TXDOT will begin the construction on the North bound two lanes. Upon construction completion, FM 1774 will have a continuous 5 lane road all the way to 1488.
FM 2978
This is a Texas Department of Transportation project (all numbered roads are handled by TXDOT). TXDOT officials have reported to our office that most of AT&Ts utilities have been moved. Therefore, the construction company has begun work on FM 2978. Expected construction duration is 18 months.
Alden Bridge
First Responders and the Home Owners Association contacted my office regarding growing concerns over the congestion on Ivy Garden Street. It appears that due to street parking, on an already narrow street, emergency personnel could not get to homes in a quick enough manner.
Status: After much discussion, we changed Ivy Garden to be a one way street, with street parking not allowed on the NW side. This change was implemented in September and we are already getting positive comments from First Responders and residents.
We are currently in the process of studying other streets in the subdivision where these types of changes may need to happen, as well.
Notes: This is just a sample of the many road projects going on in Precinct 2. You can see a complete list of Precinct 2 road projects
here. It also includes updates on TXDOT project which are numbered roads, such as 242, FM 1488, FM 2978, and FM 1774.
|
|
The Woodlands College Park High
|
Media Contact: Sarah Blakelock
Director Of Communications
Conroe Independent School District
|
|
|
The Woodlands College Park High School Teams Ready to Compete
By: Dr. Mark Murrell, TWCPHS Principal
CONROE, TEXAS (December 20, 2017) -
The Woodlands College Park High School's basketball, wrestling, and precision shooting teams are competing at high levels this season. The boys' basketball team, with 10 seniors and 1 junior, are a team to watch. Quentin Grimes leads the way as the top guard recruit in Texas and a top 20 recruit in the nation. He will be moving on next year to be a Jayhawk at Kansas. The team is also comprised of standouts Shannon Scott, Deon Blakemore, Max Bowman, Kimani Anderson, Braden Kupfer, Seren Collins, Stephen Zane, Justin Antwi, Cameron Noel, and Trevion Grigsby. They are competing in some of the biggest national tournaments this year and will be a team to watch in district play and hopefully throughout the playoffs.
Our wrestling team is also off to a great start by qualifying for the state dual meet tournament in El Paso. With high state rankings, the boys' and girls' teams look to win some team and individual state titles. Girls' wrestler Hunter Robinson is one of the nation's top female wrestlers and looks to continue great things this year and win a state title.
The Woodlands College Park's precision air rifle shooting team is enjoying its inaugural competition season and is off to a great start. This team, part of our JROTC program, is unique with their enhanced focus on precision shooting and use of more advanced and sophisticated equipment resulting in a high level of accuracy. We are proud to be the home of the current #1 ranked precision shooter in the state and one of the top in the nation, Philip Becker. We look forward to a great year!
It is an exciting time to be a Cavalier as these teams boast some of the top talent in the state and nation. We invite the community to check out our competition schedule on our website and come out and support the Cavaliers! You are guaranteed a great effort and wonderful competition.
Disclaimer: Spotlight on Our Schools is a monthly topic which features the Publicly Funded High Schools in Precinct 2. They are Magnolia West High School, Magnolia High School, and The Woodlands College Park High School.
|
Some readers see this part of your email after the subject line in the inbox. Write
TAX RELIEF PASSED
At the end of March, Commissioners Court passed a 20% homestead exemption for the county's portion of your property taxes. At court, Commissioner Noack moved for a 15% homestead exemption. I urged Commissioners Court to pass a 20% exemption, instead. Upon my comments, Commissioner Noack amended his motion from 15% to 20%. I seconded the motion and it passed.
The first time this was brought up we only had one day's notice to consider it. I told the court I needed time to do research, and count the cost, before I could vote for such a motion. I have done extensive research and that is why I felt comfortable today to move forward.
We also passed a $35,000 exemption for anyone who is 100% disabled. Currently if you are 65 years of age, or older, you have a $35,000 exemption. That did not change. I want to thank all of my fellow Commissioners Court members for working together to make this happen. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me to let me know your thoughts on this subject. I welcome your comments any time a matter comes up that is important to you. If you would like to watch the vote, you can do so
here. (Select Item 21 and move forward to about 7:30 minutes in).
PCT2 COMMISSIONER OFFICE INTERVENTION REDUCES FLOOD WATER DAMAGE
In the wake of Harvey's aftermath, I am pleased to report that preventative measures, taken after the May 2016 floods, greatly reduced flooding in Precinct 2. We saw major improvements in many areas of Precinct 2 where homes that usually flooded did not flood, and roads that usually get covered in flood waters did not get covered.
The greatest example was seen in the Westwood Subdivision, off of 1488. This subdivision typically sees flooding of up to 40 homes, and many impassable roads, during major rains. The Precinct 2 Commissioners office worked with the Landowners Association, and residents, to install preventative measures. A drainage committee was formed and approved the following measures as suggested by our office:
- Pct 2 Commissioners Office added two 30" cross pipes at Teakwood and Mesquite
- Pct 2 Commissioners Office corrected the flow line of the drainage ditch
- Westwood LOA opened up the drainage easement, from Teakwood to 1488
- Pct 2 Commissioners Office opened up the roadside ditches, from Lotus to 1488
- Residents cleaned the debris from the Nickleberg Creek, from Riverwood to 2978.
The result of this work was that fewer roads were flooded and three homes (instead of forty) had water damage.
Below is a list of other preventative measures completed by the Precinct 2 Commissioners Office, and their results.
MAJOR ROAD PROJECTS ARE BEING COMPLETED YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
All of Precinct 2's numbered roads (such as 149, 1488, 242, I-45, etc.) are handled through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). Although our office does not manage these State projects, I do work closely with TXDOT to convey our priorities and major needs. Because of that, many projects that were set to begin in 2019, for example, are taking place right now. For example, the 1774 overpass of the railroad tracks in Magnolia was not supposed to begin until 2019. Because of our county's intervention, such as funding $5 million from the 2015 Road Bond, this project will be complete in the 1st quarter of 2019. This type of joint effort between TXDOT and the county has sped up many projects on the timeline. Another example is the widening of 1488 (from I-45 to 2978). I advised TXDOT that there was enough room to re-stripe FM 1488 from 4 to 6 lanes without construction. This could be achieved by narrowing the shoulders and middle lane. TXDOT agreed and is performing a Traffic Impact Study, in preparation. Once complete, the road will be re-striped to 6 lanes.
|
|
RIVER PLANTATION
I would like to thank Dan Wilds with Montgomery County Engineer's office, Darren Hess, Director of Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management , FEMA, River Plantation HOA President, Jamie Goodman and PCT. 2 Operations Manager, Don Dean for taking time on a Friday night to answer questions and share information for the citizens of River Plantation. I greatly appreciate you.
2018 MISS MAGNOLIA SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
My family enjoyed attending the Miss Magnolia pageant. We were so impressed with all of the young ladies who participated, you should all be proud of yourself. Thank you to our outgoing Miss Magnolia, Marissa Wall. You have made all of Magnolia proud! Congratulations to our 2018 Miss Magnolia, Katterli Edwards!!!
2017 MAGNOLIA CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS
Thank you for allowing me the honor of being the Grand Marshall for the 2017 Parade of Lights in Magnolia. It was a wonderful night with many impressive floats. The Chamber did a fantastic job organizing everything!
|
|
Political Ad Paid for by Charlie Riley, JoAnne Moore Treasurer
|
|
|
|
|
|
