[District 5 – Ryan Alter, Bill Welch, Ken Craig, Stephanie Bazan, Brian Anderson II ]
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HI, MY NAME IS RYAN ALTER AND I AM A NATIVE AUSTINITE WHO HAS SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE FIGHTING FOR YOU.
I'M A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS READY TO STAND UP FOR YOU AT CITY HALL.
PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME, WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU DO THIS? MY WIFE CERTAINLY ASKS ME THAT DAILY AND IN THOSE MOMENTS WHEN I LOOK AT THE SPARKLE IN MY ONE YEAR OLD'S EYES OR GIVE MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER A HUG AND A KISS GOODBYE SO THAT I CAN GO OUT AND TALK TO VOTERS ABOUT MAKING AUSTIN A PLACE WE CAN ALL CALL HOME.
I'LL ADMIT, I WONDER THAT TOO.
WHY WOULD I WANT TO GIVE UP ONE MORE MOMENT WITH THEM THAT I KNOW I'LL NEVER GET BACK? THE ANSWER IS BECAUSE I CARE.
I CARE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE AND THEIR ABILITY TO NOT JUST LIVE BUT THRIVE IN AUSTIN, I CARE ABOUT THE FAMILIES ACROSS OUR CITY FACING THE REAL CHOICE OF BEING BROKE, BUT STAYING IN THE CITY THEY LOVE OR BEING PUSHED OUT, BUT NOT WORRY EVERY NIGHT IF THEY CAN AFFORD THE PILE OF BILLS THAT NEVER GROW SMALLER, I'M RUNNING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
AUSTIN DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PLACE THAT A SHRINKING SLIVER OF PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO CALL HOME.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PLACE WHERE THE ONLY REAL OPTION FOR GETTING AROUND IS YOU GETTING IN YOUR CAR AND WASTING HOURS IN TRAFFIC.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PLACE WHERE THE CONSTANT DEBATES ARE VIEWED THROUGH THE LENS OF I WIN ONLY IF YOU LOSE.
IT CAN BE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE, BUT THIS WILL ONLY HAPPEN IF WE CHOOSE A NEW DIRECTION WITH NEW LEADERSHIP.
WHILE IT'S EASY TO BLAME ALL OUR PROBLEMS ON AUSTIN'S GROWTH, GROWTH BY ITSELF IS NOT BAD.
THAT'S THE PROBLEM OUR COUNCIL'S REFUSAL TO PLAN FOR.
AUSTIN'S GROWTH HAS HURT US, BUT LUCKILY THIS ELECTION PRESENTS US WITH A CHOICE.
YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO ELECT THE STATUS QUO TO KEEP DOING MORE OF THE SAME, OR YOU CAN CHOOSE A NEW DIRECTION.
NOW EVERY CANDIDATE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED TO MAKE AUSTIN MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS ACTUALLY DONE IT.
I STARTED A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS THAT BUILT ATTAINABLE, MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING RIGHT HERE IN AUSTIN THAT IS WITHIN REACH OF EVERYDAY TEACHERS, LABORERS, PARAMEDICS, AND PUBLIC SERVANTS.
I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WITH A HOUSING PLAN.
MY HOUSING NOW PLAN WILL CREATE REAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE EVERYWHERE.
WE NEED MORE OPTIONS THAN JUST SCRAPING A AND BUILDING A LARGE EXPENSIVE MANSION AND MY PLAN WILL MAKE THAT A REALITY.
BUT PLANS BY THEMSELVES WON'T SAVE US.
OUR CHALLENGES REQUIRE MORE THAN TALK.
ASK YOURSELF, WHEN HAS CITY COUNCIL EVER NOT TALKED ABOUT A PROBLEM OR STUDIED IT ENOUGH? WE DON'T HAVE A SHORTAGE OF TALKING.
WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DOING FOR OVER A DECADE.
I HAVE WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND DELIVERED REAL RESULTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS A LONGTIME STAFFER TO SENATOR WATSON.
FOR US TO GET ANYTHING PAST, WE NOT ONLY HAD TO HAVE GOOD POLICIES, BUT HAD TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND TO MASTER THE POLITICAL PROCESS TO GET THESE IDEAS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
BUT RESULTS AREN'T JUST POLICIES YOU PASS.
THEY'RE ALSO YOUR ABILITY TO STOP BAD IDEAS.
IT'S ONE THING TO BE ABLE TO READ TALKING POINTS AND GET ENOUGH VOTES FOR SOMETHING TO PASS, BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING ENTIRELY TO BE ABLE TO FEND OFF ATTEMPTS TO WEAKEN OR DELAY YOUR PLANS IN REAL TIME.
ON THE DIAS, THOSE RESISTANT TO THE CHANGE.
WE WANT HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BLOCKING THE PROGRESS WE NEED.
ISN'T IT TIME WE ELECT SOMEONE EQUALLY EQUIPPED TO STAND UP FOR US? YOU WOULDN'T CHOOSE A FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT TO PERFORM SURGERY ON YOU, SO WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE SOMEONE TO GET US THE RESULTS WE NEED? WHO HASN'T DONE IT? I KNOW WE CAN MAKE AUSTIN A PLACE THAT'S MORE AFFORDABLE BECAUSE I'VE DONE IT.
I KNOW WE CAN DELIVER BIG PROGRESSIVE POLICIES BECAUSE I'VE DONE IT.
I KNOW THAT THE ONLY LIMIT TO OUR POTENTIAL IS HOW BIG WE ARE WILLING TO DREAM.
SO IF YOU SHARE MY VISION, IF YOU WANNA CHOOSE PROGRESS OVER STAGNATION, IF YOU WANNA CHOOSE PLANS OVER PLATITUDES
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AND RESULTS OVER TALK, THEN I ASK THAT YOU CHOOSE ME TO BE YOUR VOICE ON CITY COUNCIL.HELLO, I'M BILL WELCH AND I'M RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT DISTRICT FIVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF, THE REASON I'M RUNNING AND WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER VOTING FOR ME.
I'VE LIVED IN THE DISTRICT SINCE COMING HERE WITH THE AIR FORCE IN 1984.
MY WIFE HAS SOON AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 45 YEARS.
TOGETHER WE HAVE TWO SONS, BEN, A MAJOR IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND MICHAEL, A TRAVIS COUNTY FIREFIGHTER.
BEN AND HIS WIFE BELLI, LIVED JUST OFF MANSHACK ROAD.
THEY'RE THE PROUD PARENTS OF MY THREE GRANDCHILDREN, SEBASTIAN GABRIELA, AND HIS ABELLA.
I'M RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE BECAUSE I'M FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED BY THE INEFFECTIVE AND HARMFUL POLICIES ENACTED BY OUR CURRENT CITY LEADERSHIP.
WE DESERVE BETTER LEADERS WHO WILL FOCUS ON THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF OUR CONSTITUENT CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS INSTEAD OF FORCING INEFFECTIVE, IDEALISTIC AND DAMAGING AGENDAS UPON US.
LET ME MAKE SOMETHING PERFECTLY CLEAR AT THIS POINT, THIS CAMPAIGN IS ALL ABOUT AUSTIN AND REPRESENTING YOU.
I'M NOT ENDORSED OR OTHERWISE AFFILIATED WITH ANY NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTY.
I HAPPILY EMBRACE THE NONPARTISAN NATURE OF CITY GOVERNMENT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITIZENS.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ENTIRELY UPON THE CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE, THAT'S PUBLIC SAFETY, POLICE, FIRE, EMS, ELECTRICITY, WATER, ROADS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND THE GENERAL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND FOR THOSE WHO VISIT THIS WONDERFUL CITY, PARTISAN AGENDAS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
THE ONLY AGENDA I WILL FOCUS ON IS YOURS.
AUSTIN AND ITS CITIZENS ARE FACING SOME ENORMOUS CHALLENGES AS A CITY.
WE HAVE RISING CRIME RATES, HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, RAPID GROWTH INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, RISING COSTS THAT ARE AFFECTING AFFORDABILITY, WATER SYSTEM PROBLEMS, ELECTRICITY SHORTAGES AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND THE LIST GOES ON TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I OFFER YOU AS A CANDIDATE.
LET ME START WITH REFERENCING A RECENT ARTICLE BY A LOCAL REPORTER CUZ I THINK HE GOT IT RIGHT.
THE ARTICLE ESSENTIALLY DEFINED THE OTHER CANDIDATES AS A GROUP FROM WHICH NO ONE REALLY STOOD OUT.
AND THEN THERE WAS ME
BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS THIS, WHAT DO YOU WANT? DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE OF THE SAME FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL OR IS IT TIME FOR IMPROVEMENT? YES,
I AM VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE.
I POSSESS A MUCH BROADER RANGE OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT BE MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS DEVELOPED AS A SENIOR MILITARY LEADER OF THOSE I HONED AS AN AUSTIN BUSINESSMAN OR PERHAPS MY EXPERIENCE AS A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR.
ALSO, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MY ELECTED DUTIES AS A BOARD MEMBER AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BARTON SPRINGS, EDWARD OCKER FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICT WHERE I HELPED WORK TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF OUR AQUIFER WATER.
THERE WAS ALSO MY APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE ON THE AUSTIN DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WHERE DECADES AGO AS I SERVED, I HELPED TO CREATE THE VISION THAT IS THE VIBRANT CITY CENTER THAT WE ENJOY TODAY.
ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES BODE WELL AS QUALIFICATIONS YOU WILL WANT AND SOMEONE TO LEAD THIS GREAT CITY.
SO I ASK YOU, DO YOU WANT MORE OF THE SAME OR IS IT TIME TO BRING GOOD REASON BACK TO OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE? IF LIKE ME, YOU SEE A NEED FOR CHANGE, THEN VOTE FOR BILL WELCH TO BE YOUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'LL BE TO REPRESENT YOU AND I WILL SERVE YOU TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE BY VISITING MY WEBSITE BILL WELCH.ORG OR EMAIL ME AT ELECT GENERALWELCH@GMAIL.COM.
I'M KEN CRAIG AND I'M RUNNING TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT FIVE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO BRING MY EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND VALUES TO REALIZING MY
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VISION OF AUSTIN AS A CITY IN WHICH EVERYONE THRIVES REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD THEY LIVE IN.I'VE LIVED IN SOUTH AUSTIN FOR OVER 23 YEARS.
WHEN I WANDERED DOWN A WOODED TRAIL AT MARY MOORE SEAWRIGHT PARK IN THE BEAUTIFUL VISTA OF SLAUGHTER CREEK OPEN BEFORE ME, I KNEW I WAS HOME.
I MANAGED A SMALL WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS FOR OVER 20 YEARS BEFORE JOINING THE DISTRICT FIVE OFFICE, AND I'VE SERVED SOUTH AUSTIN FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS AS COUNCIL MEMBER AND KITCHENS SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR IN THAT DISTRICT FIVE OFFICE, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOODS TO BUILD A QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SAFER FOR STREETS, PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS FROM FLOODING, MAKE CITY SERVICES MORE RESPONSIVE AND PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND WORKERS' RIGHTS.
TO DATE, MY CANDIDACY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY ALMOST EVERY ORGANIZATION ENDORSING IN THIS RACE, INCLUDING FIREFIGHTERS, EMS, SIERRA CLUB, AND MANY OTHER GROUPS AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS.
AND I HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE AS WELL.
BUT FIRST I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU A BIT MORE ABOUT WHY I'M RUNNING.
I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL TO OFFER MY EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND HEART TO SERVE AUSTIN.
MY EXPERIENCE IN CITY GOVERNMENT, MAKING AUSTIN A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.
I'LL PRIORITIZE THREE WAYS TO MAKE MY VISION A REALITY.
FIRST, MORE AFFORDABLE PLACES TO LIVE, DO BUSINESS AND EXPRESS CREATIVITY.
WITH ACCESS TO FAST, CONVENIENT BUS SERVICE.
DEVELOPMENTS ALONG MAJOR QUARTERS LIKE SOUTH LAMAR MUST CREATE PLACES THAT WE WANT TO LIVE THAT ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON OWNING A CAR.
WE MUST ALSO PRESERVE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS PROTECTING THEM AS WE GROW AND WE MUST BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS.
OUR WORK MUST BE INTENTIONAL AND DIRECTED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
FOR EXAMPLE, I WORKED WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CITY STAFF AND NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS TO HELP PRESERVE IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF AND TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS FROM 40 TO 120 IN PATHWAYS AT GOODRICH, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ZILKER, A HIGH OPPORTUNITY CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
SECOND, PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.
WE MUST INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, HEALTHY FOOD AND SUPPORT FOR ALL FAMILIES OF ALL KINDS.
AND WE MUST ENSURE EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY LIVE, IS SAFE AND PROTECTED IN PUBLIC AND IN THEIR HOMES.
FOR EXAMPLE, I DROVE THE START OF AUSTIN CARES, THE PROGRAM THAT EMPLOYS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN OUR NINE ONE ONE CALL CENTER TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RECEIVE A HEALTHCARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE, WHICH ALSO FREES UP POLICE RESOURCES.
THIRD, PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.
AS WE GROW AND FACE CLIMATE CHANGE.
OUR HERITAGE OF PARKS PRESERVES GREEN SPACE AND CLEAN WATER, WHICH MAKES AUSTIN A SPECIAL WELCOMING AND NURTURING PLACE.
FOR EXAMPLE, I WORKED WITH A DEVELOPER, NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS AND CITY STAFF TO ADD, PRESERVE AND PARK LAND IN A SOUTH AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ALONG ONION CREEK AS PART OF THE BUILDING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ADDING SIDEWALKS TO A SUBSTANDARD ROAD.
WITH MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I CAN BEGIN WORKING FOR YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AUSTIN ON DAY ONE.
WE'RE NOW A CITY OF A MILLION PEOPLE IN CENTRAL TEXAS WITH OVERLAPPING LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND BIG CITY CHALLENGES.
I'VE WORKED WITH OUR CITY STAFF, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMS AND MANY OTHERS SOLVING THESE COMPLEX ISSUES AND I KNOW OUR DISTRICT FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND I KNOW THE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS WE FACE AS A VIBRANT GROWING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I ALSO KNOW WHAT WORKS AND AS IMPORTANTLY, WHAT HASN'T WORKED AT THE CITY.
I DON'T BELIEVE IN BUSINESS AS USUAL OR WIN OR LOSE CHOICES.
I KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH ALL PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE NEW SOLUTIONS WHILE STEADFASTLY MAINTAINING OUR COMMUNITY VALUES.
IN ADDITION TO OVER SEVEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH OUR CITY GOVERNMENT, I OFFERED DECADES OF LEADERSHIP IN DEMOCRATIC GROUPS AND DIRECT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING SUPPORTED BY ALMOST EVERY ENDORSING ORGANIZATION.
AUSTIN FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND DEMOCRATIC GROUPS LIKE THE SIERRA CLUB, CLEANWATER ACTION, AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS BIKE, TEXAS AND STONEWALL DEMOCRATS WORKING PEOPLE REPRESENTED BY A F L CIO, CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AND WORKERS' DEFENSE DISTRICT FIVE COUNCIL MEMBER AND KITCHEN AND STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS INCLUDING TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF SAL HERNANDEZ AND SOUTH AUSTIN CONSTABLE STACY SUITS.
THESE GROUPS AND ELECTED LEADERS ARE SUPPORTING OUR CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE AND WHAT I CAN AND WILL DO.
I TAKE THEIR TRUST AND THAT OF THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT FIVE VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CITY COUNCIL IS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
I HAVE LEARNED THAT GOOD POLICY RARELY COMES FROM ONE PERSON IN AN OFFICE, BUT RATHER THROUGH TRULY INCLUSIVE COLLABORATION WITH THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE ALWAYS AGREED WITH THE DECISIONS, BUT THEY HAVE ALWAYS SAID THEY WERE HEARD, RESPECTED, THEIR VIEWS WERE THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDERED AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHERE I STOOD.
THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE IN MY DISTRICT FIVE OFFICE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE, PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE AT KEN CRAIG FOR COUNCIL.COM AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR BUSY DAY WITH ME AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE.
HI, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE BAAN AND I'M RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE, THE VERY PLACE I GREW UP.
I'M A MOM AT THE HANNAH AND A NATIVE AUSTINITE AND I'M A A PROUD MEMBER OF THE LAMONE FAMILY.
SO YOU KNOW, SERVICE IS PART OF MY ROOTS FROM A ST.
ELMO MIGHTY MUSTANG TO A CROCKETT COUGAR GRAD.
I'M A PRODUCT OF SOUTH AUSTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND A FIRST GENERATION
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COLLEGE STUDENT.AUSTIN IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY, BUT THAT'S NOT THE STORY FOR EVERYONE.
AFFORDABILITY IS A TOP CONCERN FOR AUSTINITES.
SMALL BUSINESSES ARE WORKING HARDER THAN EVER TO SURVIVE AND WE'RE IN A HOUSING CRISIS THAT IS CRUSHING RENTERS, HURTING HOMEOWNERS, AND AFFECTING SENIORS WHO SIMPLY WANT TO STAY IN TOWN.
ON AVERAGE, AUSTINITES ARE SPENDING 47% OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME ON HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.
I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I WANT MY NEIGHBORS TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE AND THRIVE.
I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD AND A SEVEN YEAR OLD AND I WANT TO ENSURE THEY SEE THEMSELVES IN THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN.
AND I'M RUNNING TO SHOW UP FOR SOUTH AUSTIN BECAUSE SOUTH AUSTIN HAS SHOWN UP FOR ME.
I'M A PROVEN LEADER WHO'S WORKED IN EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, LAW, AND HOMELESS SERVICES AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.
I STARTED SERVING MY COMMUNITY WHEN I WAS A GIRL SCOUT AND HAVE CONTINUED MY COMMITMENT TO AUSTIN THROUGH MY VOLUNTEER SERVICE, WHICH HAS MOST RECENTLY BEEN WITH THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HISPANIC IMPACT FUND.
THIS LAST YEAR I LED THE CHARGE WITH THE FUND TO AWARD OUR $1 MILLION OF IMPACT TO SUPPORT PRE-K EDUCATION, CULTURALLY COMPETENT HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
AND WE ADDED A LEADERSHIP PIPELINE.
I'M A MA, MOM'S DEMAND ACTION MOM, A GRADUATE OF LEADERSHIP AUSTIN, PAST PRESIDENT OF THE ST.
EDWARD UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, CHAPTER MEMBER OF THE HISPANIC WOMEN'S NETWORK OF TEXAS, AND A MEMBER OF THE LBJ FUTURE FORUM, A PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSION FORUM.
I EARNED MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM ST.
EDWARDS UNIVERSITY, MY MASTER'S FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND IN NOVEMBER 21 GRADUATED FROM THE LBJ WOMEN'S CAMPAIGN SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY CURRENT AND FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL AS STATE AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ENDORSEMENT IS YOURS.
A POLL RECENTLY CAME OUT THAT AUSTINITES FEEL OUR CITY IS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
SOMEONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO HER COMMUNITY AND STAND UP FOR THEM.
SOMEONE WHO HAS BUILT RELATIONSHIPS TO CHAMPION POLICY ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THAT LEADERS ME.
I'VE BEEN SHOWING UP AND I'LL CONTINUE TO SHOW UP.
HELP ME TAKE OUR VOICES TO CITY HALL.
I'M RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE BECAUSE I DEEPLY CARE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY AND I WANNA CREATE INCLUSIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENSURE THAT AS OUR CITY CONTINUES TO GROW, IT REMAINS A PLACE FOR EVERYBODY.
I WANNA AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF SOUTH AUSTINITE AND ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY SO FAMILIES CAN REMAIN IN THIS VIBRANT CITY AND ALL OUR NEIGHBORS CAN THRIVE.
MY WEBSITE IS STEPHANIE BAAN.COM AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT ME AND MY STANCE ON ISSUES THERE.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AT STEPHANIE FOR AUSTIN AND MEET ME ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
AGAIN, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE BAAN.
I'M A MOM AT THE H AND NATIVE AUSTINITE, A COMMUNITY LEADER AND I AM ONE OF YOU.
I KNOW AUSTIN ONLY WORKS FOR ALL OF US WHEN IT WORKS FOR EACH OF US.
I WOULD BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR SUPPORT AND SERVE AS YOUR DISTRICT FIVE COUNCILWOMAN.
MY NAME IS BRIAN ANDERSON AND I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FIVE.
LIKE MANY OF YOU, THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIC FOR ME, MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY.
WE'VE EXPERIENCED AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTBREAK WITH COVID 19, A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HAS REQUIRED GREAT SACRIFICES BY ALL OF US, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR FRIENDS, AND OUR BUSINESSES.
WE'VE ALSO ENDURED A TEXAS WINTER STORM THAT BROKE OUR ENTIRE ENERGY SECTOR SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO SEE GREATER LEADERSHIP AND MORE INDEPENDENCE FROM AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND I HOPE TO BE YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER TO BRING THAT TO BEAR.
UH, I GRADUATED FROM TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY AND THEN MOVED TO WASHINGTON DC WHERE I INTERNED FOR CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ OF SAN ANTONIO.
AFTER MY TIME ON THE HILL IN CONGRESS, I WENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, WHICH IS A UNITED NATIONS SISTER INSTITUTION WORKING ON MACROECONOMIC POLICY FOR NATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD.
I ALSO WENT TO THE P PRIVATE SECTOR WHERE I WORKED IN RESEARCH CONSULTING FOR FINANCE EXECUTIVES AND FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES WRITING ORIGINAL CASE STUDY RESEARCH.
MY EXPERIENCE AND MY EDUCATION HAVE PREPARED ME TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF CITY COUNSELOR DURING THE COVID 19 OUTBREAK AND QUARANTINING.
I, UM, GRADUATED FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY WITH A MASTER'S IN INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY WHERE I STUDIED THE VERY ISSUES THAT THREATEN OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY BECAUSE THEY, THE LOCAL IS ALSO INTERNATIONAL.
NOW THE WORLD IS MORE CONNECTED THAN EVER BEFORE.
THE CLIMATE CRISIS HAS MADE THIS CLEAR, AS HAS THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOT ME INTO THIS RACE WAS THE FAILURE IN THE RESPONSE FROM GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS TO THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK.
AS AN OUT GAY PERSON, I WAS HOPING TO SEE BETTER COMMUNICATION, A MORE SMOOTH ROLLOUT OF VACCINES AND JUST FAITH IN GOVERNMENT RESTORED AFTER TWO YEARS TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC.
I CAN TELL YOU CONFIDENTLY THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
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AUSTIN, THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE MORE INDEPENDENCE AND BE BETTER PREPARED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN RESIDENTS, NOT DEPENDING ON THE STATE OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES TO ADDRESS.
THE HOUSING CRISIS IN AUSTIN IS REAL.
IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING AND IT MUST BE ADDRESSED.
TO DO THIS, WE HAVE TO HAVE PLANS.
THE CITY HAS ALREADY MADE KNOWN WHAT WOULD THEY WANT.
THEY WANT HOUSING INVENTORY INCREASED.
THEY WANT THE ZONING LAWS CHANGED AND THEY WANNA SEE AFFORDABILITY RESTORED SO THAT NOT JUST THE ELITE CAN LIVE IN THIS CITY, BUT EVERYBODY FROM THE WORKING CLASS, SINGLE PERSON TO THE FAMILY OF FOUR WITH TWO BLUE COLLAR JOBS TO THE WEALTHIEST AMONG US.
BUT RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD CALL FOR AS YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IS ANNEXING NEW AREAS OF THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A LAND USE CODE SEPARATE FOR NEW AREAS THAT ARE IN ANNEX INTO THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN START TO BUILD MORE HOUSING THAT'S DENSER AND ALONG TRANSIT CORRIDORS PROJECTS CONNECT IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A $10 BILLION INITIATIVE.
WE MUST HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO HAS LIVED IN CITIES THAT HAVE MASS TRANSIT AND USE IT.
I AM THE ONLY COUNCIL MEMBER OR COUNCIL CANDIDATE THAT USES AUSTIN TRANSIT EVERY DAY.
I'VE LIVED IN WASHINGTON DC AND IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA WHEN I STUDIED ABROAD AND UNDERGRAD AND I KNOW WHAT GREAT TRANSIT LOOKS LIKE.
THE DEVIL WILL BE IN THE DETAILS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
WITH THE PERSPECTIVE OF PE OF A PEDESTRIAN, W WE HAVE A LOT TO HANDLE.
THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS ALSO POSING A HUGE THREAT TO OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY.
I'M GONNA BE CALLING FOR GREATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BRIDGES, OUR DAMS, OUR ROADS, AND OUR POWER ARE READY FOR THE NEXT FLOOD, DROUGHT OR HEATWAVE, AND THAT WE HAVE MORE RESILIENCE FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
I INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT ANDERSON FOR AUSTIN.COM TO SEE A LOT OF MY PLANS AND PROPOSALS AND I PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE CITY.
I'M GONNA BE A CANDIDATE THAT LISTENS TO YOU.
I'LL BE A COUNCIL MEMBER THAT HEARS FROM YOU, TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR CITY AND THAT WE CAN TOGETHER BUILD A GREATER AUSTIN.