On July 21, 2011 met with Commissioner Doyal to discuss community issues related to recent Iron Man event. The Association supported the even, but expressed a need to minimize the impact on area residents. The meeting was followed up by a letter listing general issues that impacted most of the member communities. We also recommended that Association write individual letter specifying problems specific to their developments. We also offered to work with Commissioner and/or organizers to help resolve outstanding issues and improve the event.
Working with County, Houston Galveston Area Council, Bayou Land Conservancy and area land owners to protect Lake Creek waters and develop a green belt available to area residents. Accomplishments as of August 2011 include: • Obtained a resolution from Commissioners Court of county support for the Green Belt. • Also obtained agreement of support in equipment and staff from Commissioner on as available basis. • Surveyed a trail system (with Bayou Land Conservancy) on 64 acres of county property along Lake Creek as first step in developing a County Park on Lake Creek. The Land Conservancy has approved the location of a trail system. Plan to begin clearing this fall in cooler weather.
On May 21, 2011 in cooperation with Home Depot, the Association held an Emergency Management Fair to educate area residents of the need for emergency preparedness and actions they can take including taking the CERT training now scheduled for January 2012.
During 2010 & 2011 worked with two communities to help understand the impact of a proposed Cable Wakeboard facility on their subdivisions and the area as a whole. Our efforts included advising on sources of information and helping research to insure that appropriate permits have been acquired and that their requirements are met.
Took the lead in organizing a candidate forum on February 11, 2010 to give residents an opportunity to learn about candidates' positions on the issues and ask questions about issues of concern to them.
The East 1488 Community Association sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training class from March 4 until April 22, 2010. CERT trainees receive instruction in disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization. The course ends with a disaster simulation; participants receive CERT certification and emergency kit.
The East 1488 Community Association held a an Emergency Preparedness public forum in August of 2009. Residents heard reports from county officials concerning the current status level of preparedness of the county to meet the future emergencies. Since we are a rural community and the number of emergency personnel are limited, an emphasis was placed on the need for individuals to be prepared to take care of themselves, possibly for long periods of time. They heard presentations, asked questions and made suggestions about how to become better prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of their families and community during emergency situations. As a result, a CERT training class was planned for early 2010.
Association Directors met with Constable Tim Holifield, Constable Matt Masden and Sheriff-elect Tommy Gage to discuss how to improve policing throughout member subdivisions. Members are looking into sharing constable services to increase on site policing without increasing the financial burdens on smaller subdivisions.
The Association has facilitated on-going meetings between member subdivisions and with Montgomery County representatives to discuss ways to improve drainage throughout the subdivisions.
The Sign Committee, chaired by Cheryl Meyer, has virtually eliminated illegal bandit signs from the right-of-way of FM 1488. Both the City of Conroe and the City of Houston are making the removal of bandit signs a priority for the coming year. Cheryl continues to fight for the removal of other illegal signage along FM 1488.
The E. 1488 Community Association supported State Representative Rob Eissler's bill to eliminate Billboards from designated roadways, including FM 1488, and will support its re-introduction to the State legislature in 2005.
The Association has an ongoing committee discussing and studying the effects of building Fish Creek Thoroughfare through affected member subdivisions. The Association has written a letter to the County and held meetings with County representatives including Commissioner Craig Doyal and Assistant County Engineer Mike Beitler to make known their ideas concerning the safely and environmental issues involved in the building of Fish Creek Thoroughfare.
Texas Forest Service Urban District Forester John R. Warner presented a well-attended informational meeting on Jones State Forest amenities and programs. The Association intends to work closely with the Forest Service to keep residents informed about the services available to local residents at Jones Park and Jones State Forest.
The Association has printed and distributed a booklet entitled: Guidelines for Prospective Property Owners. Written by Glenn Buckley, the booklet details information for people considering buying property in Montgomery County. The booklet is available on line (in pdf. format without graphics) by going to: www.e1488ca.org , clicking on Community News and then on Guidelines pdf.
The Association’s intervention was instrumental in keeping Entergy’s high power electricity lines from cutting through member subdivisions. Power lines will now be placed along the I-45 corridor.
The Association invited TXDoT’s Area Engineer Karen G. Baker to an open meeting about the increased traffic on FM1488 which resulted in TXDoT and Montgomery County making the widening of FM 1488 a top priority.
The Association presented a well-attended election forum which attracted over 30 candidates for local, County and State elected positions.
The Association facilitated the meeting of parties affected by the possible construction of a Pet Crematorium along FM 1488. The owner of the business has since cancelled her permit application and decided against building the crematorium.
The Association held an open forum with Precinct 2 County Commissioner Craig Doyal and State Representative Rob Eissler to acquaint them with issues along the 1488 corridor.
The Association presently has a Sign Committee: Members of this committee have aquainted themselves with County and State laws and are actively removing and disposing of illegal "bandit" and unlicensed signs on FM 1488.
The Association solicited support for HB 678 (concerning the banning of billboards along FM 1488) filed by Representative Rob Eissler. The bill passed through the Transportation Committee largely due to the correspondence from groups such as ours that Mr. Eissler was able to present to the committee.
The Association disseminated information concerning the Scenic Texas bills that would: removed bill boards State wide; require TXDoT to use 1% of their construction budget for landscaping along Texas highways; have Texas added to the federal National Scenic Byways Program and continues to promote their initiatives.
The Association held an open forum on Crime and Crime prevention. Speakers included: Deputy Constable Captain Tommy Gage; Constable David Hill; Texas Ranger Kevin Pullen; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department’s Lt. Rand Henderson and Corporal Joel Gordon.
The Association met with Judge Alan B. Sadler in an open forum to discuss area issues including the widening of FM1488.
The Association held an environmental issues open forum with Glenn Buckley as the speaker and presenter.
The Association has been involved with the development of the Southwest Montgomery County Community Improvement project through the project steering committee.
The Association has developed a monthly newsletter, a website to keep member subdivisions informed and to allow members to inter-act and have dialogue among themselves.

East 1488 Community Association Of Montgomery County

East 1488 Community Association
Of Montgomery County