KATY COPPERHEADS 'TRULY EXEMPLIFY THE KATY SPIRIT'

Katy Copperheads 'Truly Exemplify the Katy Spirit'

By Ann Hodge

The Katy Courier

April 29, 2006

Katy continues to grow at a record pace.  The excitement and vitality in the community is obvious.  We are often told by new residents they just cannot believe how friendly everyone is in Katy.  This is something we all strive to maintain as we continue to grow.

Katy residents are devoted to their families and plan activities to be of interest to the entire family.  The Katy community has always embraced sports.  Katy football is rich with great history.  We have so much to be proud of at each of our schools.  The Katy Tigers Football Team continues to set impressive records.  The Taylor High School Girls' Soccer team just finished first in the State Championship.  The academic achievements are equally impressive by anyone's standards.  It is truly a wonderful tradition.

Katy is now home to the Katy Copperheads -- our very own indoor football team.  For many of us, indoor football was something we had never experienced.  I would suggest that most Katy residents will be hooked by just attending one game.  The action is fast and in the new Merrell Center, you are up close and personal to the game.  You have the ability to really be part of the game.  You can look around your seats and see friends, neighbors and family enjoying some great entertainment. We have attended so many sporting events over the years, and the Katy Copperheads truly deliver that quality experience for their fans.  The excitement is fantastic for children and adults.  You truly feel as if you are part of the action.

One of the nicest features of the Katy Copperheads is the remarkable accessibility of the players and the coach.  After every single home game, the players and coach come back onto the field and talk to the fans.  The fans are encouraged to come onto the field and meet the players and get their autographs.  This is truly a great way to meet the players and coach.  I have watched children from the age of 3 to senior citizens catch the Katy Copperheads spirit and rush onto the field to meet the players.  The kids of all ages get such a kick out of having the players sign autographs on everything from their program to footballs to T-shirts to even their arms.  It gives me true delight to watch our grandchildren run from player to player after every game to get their chance to talk with them and get their autograph.  This professional sports team truly encourages their players to interact with the fans.  They recognize the importance of the fan.

This exceptional team and their outreach truly exemplify the Katy spirit.  The Katy Copperheads are a team we can all be proud of.  I encourage you to attend a game and get hooked on indoor football.  Let's all get out and support our Katy Copperheads.  We'll see you at the games.

Ann Hodge is President/CEO of the Katy Chamber of Commerce.

Group that backed Katy ISD bond election fined $1,000

HELEN ERIKSEN, Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
 
Published 5:30 am, Thursday, May 17, 2007

 

 

 


The state has fined the treasurer of group that supported the Katy Independent School District's November school bond election $1,000 for making improper expenditures.
The Texas Ethics Commission found that there was credible evidence to support allegations that Ann Hodge, treasurer for Partners for Progress, improperly spent more than $500 within the organization's first 60 days and before the committee had accepted contributions from 10 individuals.
Fred Hink, a member of a group that opposed the $269.5 million bond approved by voters, lodged a complaint in November alleging the violations.
"Mrs. (Ann) Hodge accepted contributions before the (political action committee) could legally do so," said Hink, a member of the Katy Citizen Watchdogs. "She spent money before she could legally do so, and the PAC made a contribution to another general purpose PAC, which is also illegal."
Hink also alleged that Partners, financially backed by master-planned community developers, violated Texas election laws by contributing to another political action committee without proper disclosure.
"After considering the seriousness of the violations...the commission imposes a $1,000 civil penalty," the order said.
Hodge, also the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer, did not return calls for comment.
Tim Sorrells, the ethics commission's deputy general counsel, said Hodge paid the $1,000 fine immediately. Under the sworn order and agreed resolution, Hodge neither admitted nor denied the commission's findings.