From the Cluttered Desk...by Dr. David Davis
    Attention all businesses in Pearland and Friendswood 

     One of the unique things about living in the Friendswood/Pearland area is the consistent generosity of the two communities -- especially the willingness to support the local schools financially in worthy projects. It is that time of the year when area businesses start receiving calls for support of football posters to be printed with the schedule of area teams.
    Three years ago, Pearland Superintendent Dr. Bonny Cain and athletic director Mike Watson made the decision to cut out all outside vendors from fleecing the Pearland business community of their hard-earned dollars and make an effort to channel local advertising monies toward the booster clubs at Pearland High School through the production of all media guides for football, basketball, softball, and baseball.
    That decision has netted over $100,000 being returned to the PHS booster clubs instead of leaving our city which has translated into over $40,000 in scholarships and athletic equipment for the various sports that are not provided in the athletic budget.
    Recently, there has been a company from Arlington, Texas calling local businesses in Pearland and Friendswood wanting to sell advertising for these posters.
    Since I produce all media guides for Pearland ISD and the football publication for the Friendswood Mustangs, I picked up the phone to call Elite Designs from Arlington, Texas who are now calling local businesses to advertise on a poster. They confirmed, by telephone, that they do not represent area school districts nor do they return one dime back to that particular sport at any of the schools. Free enterprise allows them to do this, but I wanted to put you on notice that if you do advertise with this company, they do not have the support of Pearland ISD or the athletic department.
    Now, another company has surfaced called High School Boosters. They are based out of Henderson, Nevada and I have visited with at least six different business owners in the past week who have received calls from a sweet young lady representing herself from Pearland High School. I'm almost sure they are doing the same thing for Friendswood High School and Clear Brook High School.
    One business owner faxed me their invoice for his ad. Though he declined their offer, the invoice instructed him to make his check payable to: High School Boosters and send it to Pearland High School with a San Antonio address. Hmmm! The last time I checked - Pearland High School was still in Pearland!
    I called these people and they told me they send money to the high school, but that isn't true. They misrepresent themselves as being from Pearland High School which also isn't true. Here is a sure-fire way to know that the caller is not affiliated with a local booster club.
    1. If the caller asks you to make your check payable to someone other than the local high school booster club.
    2. If the caller gives you a toll-free number to return their call.
    3. If the caller says they will accept credit cards.
    No local booster club is going to ask you to make your check payable to anyone else but them. Local high school booster clubs give you a local name and call back number. And local booster clubs do not take credit cards.
    Don't be afraid to ask questions. One way you can know is by asking who the head coach is of that particular sport -- and you will hear silence and then they will stutter when trying to explain themselves.
    Mark these names down and DO NOT support them. They are:
    Elite Designs
    High School Boosters
    One of them goes so far as to say that their posters will be distributed at the games. By who? That is a false statement as no one is working with them in this effort and your money will not go to the intended support. They keep all of it!
    If you want to support your community and the student-athletes, then keep your advertising dollars at home and support the media guides for Pearland and Friendswood High Schools. Every business who advertises with these publications makes their check payable to that particular booster club and they handle every dime. There is nothing hidden and every dime is accounted for by these clubs. Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions.
    Or the simple rule is -- If I don't call you to support these athletic projects, then it isn't endorsed by the school districts. And I will assure you that you will make your check directly to each booster club and they will handle 100 percent of all your money.
    Comment? Write: Dr. David Davis
    P.O. Box 250 * Pearland, Texas 77588
    Fax: 281-997-0060 / E-mail: drdd@swbell.net