Downtown alcohol ban lifted

By Laura Elder
The Daily News
Published November 4, 2009

FRIENDSWOOD — Breaking a 46-year dry spell, voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the sale of alcohol at restaurants and grocery stores in the city’s downtown.

Proposition 1, which would allow convenience stores and wine shops to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption, passed with 2,505 votes — 68 percent — for, compared to 1,163 — 32 percent — against, according to complete, unofficial returns.

Proposition 2, which would allow restaurants to sell mixed beverages, passed with 2,648 votes — 72 percent — for, compared to 1,021 — 28 percent — against.

Both propositions allow alcohol sales in a corridor along FM 518 between FM 528 and FM 2351.

The city, founded by Quakers, banned alcohol sales in April 1963, the year Friendswood was incorporated.

Businessman and developer Tony Buzbee, who led a group that argued lifting the ban would lure new business, said the overwhelming victory proved residents were ready for change.

Opponents had argued lifting the ban would undermine the city’s heritage.

“The issue is dear to many people in town; they care deeply about it and I am one of them,” said Janis Lowe, a resident who opposed both propositions.

“Now, all interested parties have spoken. Friendswood will still be here in the morning, but will just be a bit different than it was yesterday.”

Alcohol sales downtown would not drastically change the character of Friendswood, Mayor David Smith said.

“We will still be a family-based, faith-based, education-based community,” Smith said.

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Rising jobless rate not as severe here

By JIM MOLONY
Updated: 10.21.09
Just as it did in the rest of the country, unemployment rose locally during September, but the good news for Pearland, Friendswood and greater Houston is that the job market here isn't as tight as elsewhere.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission the Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 8.2 percent in September, up from 8.0 percent a month ago, and continued to trend well below the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.8 percent.

The Texas Civilian Labor Force continued to increase, remaining above the mark of 12 million workers for the third consecutive month. Total non-agricultural employment in Texas fell by 44,700 positions during September.

"The Texas job market continued to tighten as most industries experienced job losses in September," Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Tom Pauken said. "While unemployment in Texas remains well below the national rate of 9.8 percent, this serious national recession continues to affect us adversely in Texas."

In Friendswood the unemployment rate rose to 6.7, the highest monthly reading in at least eight years, and yet the number may be misleading since a detailed breakdown is unavailable and Friendswood's major employers -- the two school districts and the city -- as well as other key local businesses did not report any significant layoffs.

"I have not seen high unemployment or even business relocations from Friendswood, it's been just the opposite," said Karen Capps, Friendswood's Economic Development Coordinator. "The number is high for us, but when you look at the rest of the country we're doing fine."

Overall in the United States economic growth has slowed, and in Galveston County, in which part of Friendswood lies, unemployment has nearly doubled (from 4.3 to 8.5 percent) during the last 12 months, according to the TWC.

"Galveston is different because of the storm," Capps said, referring to Hurricane Ike which closed scores of businesses and displaced a substantial segment of the work force.

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Friendswood to Decide Whether to Lift Downtown Alcohol Ban

Friendswood, TX - A forty-six-year-old law banning the sale of alcohol in certain part of Friendswood could soon change.

The downtown area of Friendswood has been "dry" since the 1960's. Unless the business obtains a private club registration, they can't sell alcohol. It could all change if residents vote to ban the old law.

Two propositions are already on the ballot for early voting. Proposition 1 would allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption. Proposition 2 would allow restaurants to sell mixed drinks. Most people in town agree its time for a change.

"We have many customer who walk in the door asking where is the beer and we have to send them somewhere else," Deanna Law, Kroger Manager.

The Kroger on FM-518 lies in the dry part of town. If the law passes it would allow them to sell alcohol to their customers. Right now, most residents have to buy their beer or wine at other competitor stores down the street in the "wet" parts of town.

"Most of us recognize to jump start and help the development in the downtown area and this is really the last piece to make this happen," David Smith, Friendswood mayor

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Suspects arrested in Friendswood Burglaries

The Police News
October 11, 2009
FRIENDSWOOD -Three suspects were arrested for burglary Friday afternoon.

A resident of the 15400 block of Wandering Trail called police when she saw two men on her upper deck landing. She notified Friendswood Police of the suspicious activity and officers were immediately dispatched in to the area in marked and unmarked units. Officers observed a vehicle that matched a description provided to police by the caller in the 5100 block of Shady Oaks.

Myra Martinez, 27, of Houston, Jesse Pena, 25, of Houston and a 16-year old boy from Houston were charged with Attempted Burglary. Pena and Martinez were later transferred to the Harris County jail with no bond. The juvenile was released to a parent, pending further juvenile court action.

Man charged with sexual assault

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas -- A 37-year-old Harris County man is facing charges of sexual assault of a child after police say they found him having sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Friendswood police said an officer was on patrol around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when he noticed Charles Michael Simmons’ vehicle at the rear of the Oasis Car Wash on FM 528.

Since the business was closed, the officer decided to investigate.

When he approached the vehicle, the officer said he saw Simmons and a teen engaged in sexual activity.

Simmons was taken into custody and later transferred to the Harris County Jail with no bond.

He’s also wanted in Florida for violation of a court order.

Police said Simmons and the teen were acquaintances and they did not meet on the Internet.