tcr98taws6

Looks like progress has begun for the long awaited interchange improvements. Does anyone have a schedule of dates for the project?

If people actually reasoned out their positions before making them public, we'd either have more neo-Nazis or fewer Republicans.

With this statement, your objectivity and credibility are now in the crapper.

I'm left to assume we should all think like you or risk being both ignorrant and wrong.

Let's just agree we won't exchange Merry Christmas cards......opps, excuse me, you'd likely prefer Seasons Greetings based on your commentary above.

The cost of a gallon of gas right now is about $2.60. Let's say your low-income drones live only 15 miles away from their far-flung crappy job serving you burgers at the sparkling new Wendy's being built in Katy. That's a 30 mile per day commute. Now, let's assume their old beater get less than current CAFE standards for fuel economy. I think it's a safe assumption that poor people will have older, less fuel-efficient cars, but feel free to disagree on that point. Anyhow, either way, if their car gets 20 mpg, their total round-trip cost to work and back home will consume a gallon and a half of fuel, or $3.90. Assuming they work full time at 40 hours a week, and assuming that 40 hours is broken up into five shifts of eight hours each, then that would mean the poor low-wage worker was spending $19.50 per week in gas. Over the course of a full year, that fuel cost adds up to $1,014. From a slightly different perspective, the mileage added to the automobile each year will total 7,800, the federal government estimates the cost associated with operating a vehicle to be 56 cents per mile. Looking at costs from this perspective, the low-wage worker will have spent $4,368 per year. Either cost you evaluate, whether total operational costs or just fuel costs, if a person makes low wages, which I would place at less than $25-30k/year, a workday commute would consume a substantial portion of their income.

That said, if you're willing to pay more for your goods and services, so the places you shop at can afford to pay their employees more to offset their commute costs in order to ensure no poor folks live near you, then more power to you. I'd rather my goods pricing reflected something closer to the true cost of an item and not just the cost of labor, but we all have different priorities, I guess. I'd rather live near the dirty untouchables and reap the benefits of their labor rather than shut myself off from the outside world. Your life though, your home. And as has been said before, if you really don't want the people who do your dirty work to live within sight of you, then buy the land and do something else with it.

You favor the idea that everyone simply should accept the apartments. That's clear. And your arguement is based on the need for the low income worker being able to provide the services for low wages attached to certain jobs without any racial profiling or acceptance of these individuals unfortunate current state of living.

Why is it we can't rely on our high school and college children of the community, or even our own poor within the community who need jobs to fill the positions?

Why is it we all need to feel political correct? Why can't one simply express the opposing view without being lynched by the so called open-minded? The fact that I oppose low income apartments in the community makes me a terriblely closed minded person?

As many others know, and some have stated, opening these apartments does nothing to solve the issues with the already over-abundant number of poorly managed, low income apartments available throughout metro Houston.

All we are doing is spreading the problem into another community where the problem is minimal today.

Everyone feel better now?

Frankly I could care less what half of you "well-wishers" or "believers in the system" think of my position.

I bought in the Katy area because of the higher income demographics. This usually results in higher property values, better school systems and less crime. So crucify me for wanting to live in "better" area of town. I guess we burn down River Oaks and the hate-mongers who live there?

I like the idea that my wife can go shopping without the threat of being mugged. I like the idea that I can walk/jog my community streets in the night time and feel safe. I like that if a person is breaking into a home, chances are they will be shot. I don't like criminals, robbers, thugs or want-to-be gang members. I believe in the American way and the idea that a community can be better than one down the road with positive contributions by it's residents.

So I don't like the idea that a slew of low income apartments are going to be constructed immediately next to the mall that our children frequent. I don't like the idea that property values in the immediate area will suffer. I don't like that I will see taxes increase to staff more police officers to increase patrol in the community. And I don't like seeing the young gangsters butts while their pants are falling off of them. And I am not blind to the notion that we have an illegal immigration population explosion in the area and it's getting worse.

I would much prefer the apartments were higher-end structures that would be in keeping with the surrounding communities.

But most of all, I don't care what some of you people think of my opinion......because afterall, it's mine to do what I want with.

And finally, for those of you showing such compassion for the "poor minorites" as you've referred to them (not my word), perhaps they should move in next door to you? I'm certain you could care less about your property values or personal welfare.

I feel better now......

Area Office Personnel to Contact to Report Illegal Signs on TxDOT Right of Way

West Harris--Scott Scholz 713-934--5927, fax# 713-934-5999 address 14838 Northwest Freeway Houston, Tx. 77040-4027

Scott Scholz is the right person to call.

I called Scott last friday and he said my call was the first he'd heard of the problem. He said they would drive by and address the issue this week.

Very nice guy, but I suggest others call him as well. It only took several minutes.

I am of the impression 1/2 of the homemade signs in all of Fort Bend County are located on the corner of I-10 and the Grand Parkway. It has quickly become quite the eyesore. The classics include advertising poop removal on full sheets of plywood.

I believe we need stricter code enforcement and soon.

I was in Richmond 2 weeks ago registering a car and was told by this time next year I could accomplish this task in Katy near the Westpark & Grand Parkway. New county offices are being constructed on the Northeast side of the interchange. The road beds are already in.

lifeinthewoodlands,

You should move to he Greenspoint near the mall.....very pretty I hear.

I don't mean to be rude, but do you really feel that television is worth over a thousand dollars a year? Especially without HBO and Showtime? I mean, seriously, is it really important enough to you to drop that kind of coin? Once in a while I'll hear about something on cable that looks interesting, but the desire quickly passes.

I am going to pay DirecTV right at $125/mo for their service. For that fee, I get 265 channels, including 130 in High Definition, plus Showtime, HBO, Starz and Cinimax which betweem them offer 31 channels of uninterrupted movies. I also get for the first year the NFL Sunday Package free, allowing me to view any game I want. After the first year, should I choose to keep it, that package would add $20/mo to my subscription.

We have a complete home theater, plus several other HD TV's, and I think it is easily worth the price we pay.

Seriously, isn't the price a very relative thing in life? Some drive a economy car and others a high performance sports car.....price and enjoyment is the difference.

To answer Mr B .... Dish sends out the clowns who over the course of 1+ years of troubleshooting could not solve the problem. I was even told on one ocassion I must be imagining things as they never have problems. On another ocassion I was told by a Dish serviceman I should change to DirecTV.

Anyway, I had the DirecTV system installed this week and everything is running smoothly so far. I trust it will continue that way. HD reception is perfect, including HD locals.

I appreciate the opinions offered so far.

I currently have Dish and I find their service is very poor on the local Houston channels during primetime viewing hours, i.e. 7-9pm. Plenty of pixilation and momentary picture freezes, momentary sound outages, sound does not follow lip movement, etc... occurs regularily on local NBC and Fox channels in particular.

Any other recommendations for DirecTV? I am interested in hearing more.

(Sorry, I mentioned Katy because I am interested as well in the service provider reputations in the local area)

I am considering Direct TV. Any positive/negative opinions are welcomed.

Does the High Definition reception work well?

Does Direct TV suffer with poor reception during peak viewing hours, particularly on local Houston channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox local?Do they provide decent local service when called?

Does anyone have an opinion regarding their NFL Sunday package?

LookingToMove,

I live in Katy above the Westpark Tollway. The Swinging Door is less than 10 minutes drive from my home using Hwy 723. I stated the place was in Richmond in my post, so what's your point? I live in Katy and asked Katy residents if they knew of the place.

Anyone have any comments about this place? I have heard it's a place we need to try.

So the losers are now at Katy Freeway and Grand Parkway....

I'll never understand why people give these idiots money. 95% of the street corner beggars are drug abusers/drunks. When you give them your money, it's just enabling them by giving them another shot of drugs or whiskey. All these jerks do is tie up traffic and risk being hurt walking in traffic.

If people really want to help, give your money to a reputable charity or homeless center where the money is used correctly. Or if you want to give them something constructive, give them a razor for a clean shave and the classified help wanted section. They'll throw it back at you.

Sorry, but considering the amount of tax dollars we pay and the added revenue of the toll roads in the region, I would expect better alongside the roadways of Katy. These areas have gone from quite nice to an eyesore in several years time. Additionally, there are watering provisions in these gardens, but they are rarely used.

Sorry to learn Allie's didn't make it, BUT, it was in the crappest place on the Grand Parkway (Times Square).

And after Allies put that huge tacky sign along the roadside 1,000 feet before the shopping center was enough for me to NEVER visit Allies, or any other establishment in this craphole. And let me say this, we eat out 3-4 times a week and the prices reportedly charged at Allies were not an issue, location was.

Until the slumlord owning this shopping center cleans the place up, other businesses will continue to fail in this craphole.

The trees and shrubs planted along the Katy Freeway and Feeder Roads, and also some of the Grand Parkway areas throughout Katy look terrible. Many of the trees are dead, many are falling over yet trying to survive, and other trees are on their last leg. It is obvious the watering systems are failing, and so are the trees.

Is there any program to replace the trees or fix the watering systems?

I realize the program's intent, mow the grass just off the Feeder Road then allow a natural look to develop up the freeway barriers. But it needs TLC before it's too late.

Jefe57

Don't waste your time until your review is scheduled. There are 2 different processes once you get there.

The first process is you and one other person from the appraisal district. State your case and be certain to have your neighborhood comps available for his/her review. Neighborhood comps are those homes similair/like to yours. Because your act of sale clearly shows you paid significantly less, that will be helpful. However, last year I was told at this level of review they are limited to @10% reduction. If you want more and feel you have a case, ask to meet with the review board.

The review board is separate group of people and you will be given a different date and time to meet with them. In the room are 3 "review board officers" and 2 others, one who presents the computerized documents they have and another who records the hearing. They can view your home from satelite shots and street shots on file. Your WORST enemy in the room is the person sitting at the computer presenting the documents to the review board. This person continually fights not to lower the value of the home, not matter how unfair the assessment may be. If they have the original homeowners purchase price, they will try to maintain that is the fair value, plus the years of appreciation.

Stay calm, stay friendly and state your case clearly. The officers will normally rule within reason. They heard my case last year and after 20 minutes lowered my assessment $45,000.

Of note, they could care less about upgrades, etc.... all they care about is square footage, lot size, lot view if viewing water or open park land, comps and the like.

(Just remember they love this process because you are there making a case as to why your neighbor should pay more than you. They take notes and use this crap against the neighbors next year during the assessment phase, and then ultimately it costs us all more down the road. But you have to fight for what is fair. It is a vicious cycle)

Nothing is wrong with living next to apartments if that's what floats your boat. But that doesn't float mine....

The homes with the highest resale values are usually those without an apartment complex behind them or with-in a stones throw. In MOST situations, apartment dwellers generally reduce the income demographics of a neighborhood, which in turn has a adverse effect on the type of businesses that establish themselves closeby. Apartment complexes don't always hold up well, but with a really strong property management group and high association fees they can maintain their values.

I believe these guys would fit in very well in front of Times Square...hell, you might not even notice them. You will probably be distracted by the Statue of Liberty woman working the corners there.

Before you buy in order to save drive time, I suggest you drive the Westpark both ways at your normal commute times over several different days of the week. The results might surprise you. Katy continues to grow and so does the number of automobiles on it's roads.

I live in the Seven Meadows area and we believe the quality of life here is very good. Excellent schools, groceries and never a shortage of nail salons . Your property taxes will prove me right as well.

Avalon at Seven Meadows.....+10% this year.

And I protested myself last year before the review board, gaining some relief. However, IF they know what you paid for your property, and sometimes that information is submitted to them, they WILL NOT concede to a lower amount, no matter the comps in the area that show less for similiar homes. I know because it happened to me.

Finally, check your assessments closely if you own a pool....in 2008 Ft. Bend capped the value of built-in pools at $10k and built-in hot tubs at $2k.

Good lord, it keeps getting worse. Now Allies Steakhouse, whom I've considered trying, put up a crappy sign on the feeder road that must be 25+ feet wide and constructed with a Home Depot sized load of 2x4's. So added to the hot air ballons, rockets, broken down trucks and ever other imaginable form of advertisment, I am CERTAIN I WILL NOT try Allies because I am officially boycotting any business in the sewage hole of a shopping center.

Spring Creek BBQ off the Katy Freeway and Westgreen is really good. Katy needed a good BBQ joint and this is the place.