[2024 Candidate Statements]
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HI, I'M CARMEN JANNIS POLITO AND I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF AUSTIN.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE, AND FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS I'VE WORKED ALONGSIDE THOUSANDS OF AUSTIN RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND CITY STAFF TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND BUILD A MORE JUST AND INCLUSIVE CITY.
I SPENT 10 OF THOSE YEARS AS A CITY OF AUSTIN COMMISSIONER CRAFTING POLICY FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I'VE SEEN US GROW INTO A BEACON OF PROGRESS, BUT THAT GROWTH HAS ALSO COME WITH BIG CITY CHALLENGES AND IMPORTANT LESSONS.
WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY, AND THIS NOVEMBER YOU HAVE THE POWER TO SHAPE ITS FUTURE.
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE TO BRING RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY INFORMED LEADERSHIP TO AUSTIN CITY HALL.
AS MAYOR, I WILL WORK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH YOU TO LOWER COSTS, PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, AND INVEST IN OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SERVICES.
WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR HISTORY TO ADAPT TO THE FUTURE.
SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT URGENT ISSUES WE FACE THAT I WILL ADDRESS FIRST INCLUDE OUR RISING COST OF LIVING, OUR NEED TO HOLISTICALLY ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY AND OUR DUTY AS A CITY TO SECURE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SERVICES.
LET'S TALK ABOUT REAL AFFORDABILITY IN THE CITY.
TOO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE BEING PRICED OUT, AND WHILE THE POLITICAL RHETORIC TELLS US THAT OUR CITY IS ADDRESSING THIS WITH RECENT POLICIES, THE FACTS SIMPLY DO NOT BEAR THAT OUT, NOR DO THE DIRECTLY IMPACTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION.
I AM COMMITTED TO PRODUCING REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC TO NEGOTIATE NEW DEVELOPMENT AND KEEPING OUR UTILITY RATES AND TAXES AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE HARDWORKING COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE BUILT THIS CITY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE.
I HAVE A TRACK RECORD IN CO-CREATING THESE POLICY SOLUTIONS AND LEADING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO GET THEM IMPLEMENTED.
TOGETHER WE WILL PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND PRODUCE THOUSANDS OF UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WE'LL USE OUR EXISTING INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS.
WE'LL EXPAND PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS AND KEEP HOMEOWNERS FROM LOSING THEIR PROPERTY.
WE CAN SCALE COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS TO CREATE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOMES AND STABILIZE HOUSING COSTS, AND WE CAN REHABILITATE EXISTING HOUSING TO MAKE IT SAFE AND MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT.
AUSTIN IS ALSO FACING AN INCREASING THREAT TO OUR SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE NEED A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
I HAVE ENGAGED WITH ADVOCATES ON ALL SIDES OF THESE ISSUES OF POLICING, OF HOMELESSNESS.
I FIND THAT WE ACTUALLY AGREE ON MOST OF THE IMPORTANT OUTCOMES FOR OUR CITY'S SAFETY AND HARM REDUCTION, BUT A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND POORLY THOUGHT OUT POLICIES AND EXPENDITURES OF THE PAST HAVE PITTED COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER.
WE CAN REALLOCATE OUR RESOURCES TO BETTER SERVE THE UNHOUSED AND INTERRUPT THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS.
WE CAN ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES AND LISTEN TO FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES ALREADY WORKING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO 9 1 1 RESPONSE AND HOMELESSNESS.
BY LISTENING TO PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES, REALLOCATING OUR FUNDS TO MORE, UH, MORE SERVICES AND BETTER PUBLIC SAFETY, WE CAN REINVENT AUSTIN AND IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE.
AS MAYOR, I WILL MODERNIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, NEGOTIATE FOR MORE RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT, AND LEVERAGE FEDERAL AND PRIVATE DOLLARS TO ENSURE THAT OUR CITY IS READY FOR THE CLIMATE CHALLENGES AHEAD.
FROM STRONGER WATER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS TO COMMUNITY LED PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE HUBS, I HAVE A TRACK RECORD AND WE WILL BUILD A SAFER, MORE RESILIENT AUSTIN.
WE ALSO HAVE TO SECURE OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND BASIC SERVICES.
SOME OF OUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A CITY ARE OUR PUBLIC OWNED UTILITIES, INCLUDING AUSTIN ENERGY AND AUSTIN WATER.
IT'S TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO TAKE OUR POWER BACK AND FACE OUR CURRENT ENERGY ISSUES.
OUR BILLS ARE RISING, OUTAGES ARE INCREASING, AND WE'VE DELAYED OUR TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY.
I WILL BRING BACK AUSTIN'S UTILITY ELECTIONS, HOLD AUSTIN ENERGY ACCOUNTABLE AND IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTIONS THAT OUR COMMUNITY AND STAFF HAVE URGED US TO PRIORITIZE.
INSTEAD OF WASTING MONEY ON OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THE INVESTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT LOWER COSTS FOR RATE PAYERS DISTRIBUTE OUR ENERGY LOAD FOR MORE RE RELIABILITY AND MOVE US AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.
I'M ALSO COMMITTED TO MAKING AUSTIN WORK FOR WORKERS.
THAT MEANS RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO A LIVING WAGE OF $22 PER HOUR FOR FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES AND PRIORITIZING HOUSING, TRANSIT AND CHILDCARE ISSUES IN A WAY THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE INCOME LEVELS OF ACTUAL AUSTINITES, NOT JUST WHAT THE MARKET SPECULATES.
WE NEED TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE AND COOPERATION TO SPEND OUR RESOURCES WISELY.
OUR MUNICIPAL DOLLARS SHOULD BE REINVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH CAREFULLY CRAFTED POLICIES, NOT HANDED OVER IN BACKROOM DEALS WITH SPECIAL INTERESTS OR WASTED IN LAWSUITS.
AS MAYOR, I WILL ENSURE THAT EVERY AUSTINITE BENEFITS FROM OUR CITY'S GROWTH, NOT JUST A SELECT FEW FROM REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO CLIMATE READINESS, FROM RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROTECTING OUR LOCAL CONTROL.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR BOLD COMMUNITY DRIVEN LEADERSHIP.
I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF AUSTIN BECAUSE WE DESERVE RESPONSIBLE, ACCOUNTABLE, COMMUNITY
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DRIVEN LEADERSHIP AT CITY HALL.HELLO, MY NAME'S JEFFREY BOWEN AND I'M SEEKING THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I'M A 35 YEAR RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 49 YEARS.
WE MOVED BACK TO TEXAS WHEN WE WERE STATIONED AT BERGSTROM AIR FORCE BASE WHERE I WAS AN INSTRUCTOR TEACHING LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.
BOTH OF OUR KIDS WERE RAISED HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT OR NO LONGER TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT.
UH, I'M A, I AM THE OWNER OF A SMALL BUSINESS AND UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
I DO CONSTRUCTION NOW, DO A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AND SMALL PROJECTS.
AT ONE TIME I DID WORK FOR SOME OF THE BIGGER DEVELOPERS AND IN 2001 DECIDED TO START MY OWN BUSINESS.
SO WHY IS IT THAT I'M RUNNING FOR OFFICE? ONE IS I'D LIKE TO GET THE CITY BACK TO RUNNING LIKE A CITY.
UM, THIS IS BECOMING NOT AUSTIN, TEXAS ANYMORE, BUT AUSTIN, TEXAS, AND IT'S MAKING THINGS MORE UNAFFORDABLE FOR THOSE OF US THAT WANT TO STAY HERE AND LOVE THE CITY.
ONE OF THE REASONS THAT, UH, TO MAKE, TO LOOK AT MAKING AUSTIN MORE AFFORDABLE MAY BE THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I'M ANDREW INTERESTED IN IS HAVING A FULL COMPLETE CITY AUDIT THAT IS TOP TO BOTTOM EVERY DEPARTMENT.
NOW, THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN JUST OVERNIGHT BECAUSE WE DID HAVE A BOND OR WE DID HAVE A PROPOSITION ON THAT WHICH WAS VOTED DOWN, BUT IN THIS CASE, I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME THAT WE DO THAT.
IN MY PROCESS, WE WOULD DO THIS OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD, ONE MAJOR DEPARTMENT BEING DONE ONE YEAR WITH MANY SMALLER DEPARTMENTS THE NEXT YEAR, THE SAME PROCESS UNTIL WE GOT EVERYBODY ACCOMPLISHED.
BUT MAYBE WE WOULD LEARN ALONG THE WAYS ALSO THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION.
UM, LET'S TALK ABOUT HOME ONE AND HOME TWO, DID I SUPPORT HOME? ONE, I DID NOT.
DID I SUPPORT HOME? TWO, I DID NOT.
BUT FOR THE REASONS THAT CAME DOWN TO THAT, IT WAS NOT REALLY DESCRIBED.
I'M A PROPERTY RIGHTS ADVOCATE.
I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WITH YOUR PROPERTY AS YOU CAN WITHIN WHATEVER THE GUIDELINES OF OUR CERTAIN CODES ARE SETTING AT.
I HAD COST CONCERNS, WHICH WERE BEING, WHICH THE CITY COUNCIL WAS TELLING, UH, RESIDENTS THAT IT WAS GONNA BE VERY INEXPENSIVE TO DO THIS.
THIS IS A VERY LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS AND IN ORDER TO HELP WITH THAT PROCESS, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD DEPARTMENT AT THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES WHERE A RESIDENT, IF THEY SAY, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT AN A DU IN MY BACKYARD, THEY COULD THEN GO THERE TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN UNDERSTANDING IS MY LOT BIG ENOUGH? UH, DO I HAVE, DO I HAVE TREES THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED? WILL I MEET MY IMPERVIOUS COVER? THOSE ISSUES, THAT DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT PERSON, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT YOUR IMPACT FEES ARE GOING TO BE.
THIS IS WHAT YOUR PERMITTING FEES ARE GOING TO BE.
THIS IS THE SIZE UNIT YOU COULD GET ON THE STRUCTURE, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
THIS WOULD ALSO HELP WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT WANNA MAKE OTHER TYPE OF REPAIRS, SUCH AS THOSE THAT WANT TO AGE IN PLACE, UH, I TRULY BELIEVED IN TO MAKE THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE ELDERLY.
THOSE THAT WANT TO AGE IN PLACE SHOULD BE, UH, PERMIT EXEMPT FOR HAVING TO PAY FOR PERMITS IF THEY WANTED TO CHANGE OUT A TUB OR ENLARGE A DOORWAY SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR RESIDENCE.
ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO, UM, MAKING THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE WOULD BE FOR THOSE THAT IN THAT ARE ELDERLY, THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE AN EXEMPTION FOR ONCE THEY REACH THEIR 65 EXEMPTION, THAT THOSE, THOSE FEES ON OUR UTILITY BILLS WOULD BE FROZEN AT A CERTAIN LEVEL.
I BRING THESE THINGS UP BECAUSE NOBODY'S REALLY TALKING ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.
UM, I AM ALWAYS OPEN FOR A CONVERSATION AND ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT REALLY BOTHERS ME IS THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND CLARITY WITHIN OUR OWN CITY GOVERNMENT.
OUR BALLOTS SHOULD NOT BE YES MEANS NO AND NO MEANS YES.
SO I HOPE THIS GIVES YOU SOME INSIGHT INTO WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT I'M, I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
AND PLEASE LOOK US UP AT JEFF BOWEN FOR AUSTIN MAYOR.COM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
I'M DOUG GRECO AND I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR BECAUSE OUR CITY NEEDS A LEADER WHO FIGHTS FOR ALL AUSTINITES.
NOT BIG MONEY, NOT BIG DONORS, AND CERTAINLY NOT GOVERNOR ABBOTT.
I WILL FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND I WILL STAND UP TO THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LEADERS WHEN THEY ATTACK OUR LOCAL DECISIONS, OUR SCHOOL FUNDING AND OUR CIVIL
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RIGHTS.I GREW UP IN A WORKING CLASS TOWN IN THE EASTERN COAL REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA.
I ATTENDED BROWN UNIVERSITY AND I CAME TO AUSTIN IN THE MID NINETIES AND TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL ON THE EAST SIDE AT JOHNSTON HIGH, NOW EAST SIDE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH.
THAT'S WHERE I GOT INVOLVED IN GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING.
FIRST ARE A MEMBER AS A MEMBER OF THE TEACHER'S UNION EDUCATION AUSTIN, AND THEN WITH CENTRAL TEXAS INTERFAITH, AN ORGANIZATION I LED FOR 12 YEARS.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE BUILT THE POLITICAL WILL AT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO INVEST OVER 40 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND 200 MILLION FOR PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AND IN 2021, I LED THE ORGANIZING EFFORT WITH OUR STATE NETWORK TO KILL THE STATE'S LARGEST CORPORATE TAX GIVEAWAY PROGRAM.
CHAPTER THREE 13 TOOK A BILLION DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL MONEY FROM SCHOOL CHILDREN, GAVE IT INSTEAD TO MULTINATIONAL OIL AND GAS COMPANIES.
I ALSO SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO STATE REP GINA HINOJOSA.
AND IN 2011, WHEN A FORMER STUDENT OF MINE WAS TRAGICALLY MURDERED IN DOVE SPRINGS, ALONG WITH HER MOTHER, HERS WAS ONE OF THE RECORD 27 ANTI L-G-B-T-Q MURDERS THAT YEAR.
AS A GAY MAN, I FELT I NEEDED TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE L-G-B-T-Q MOVEMENT AND AFTER COMPLETING TWO MASTER'S DEGREES, ONCE AT PRINCETON AND ONE AT USC, I BECAME THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE NATION'S LARGEST L-G-B-T-Q CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.
I STEPPED DOWN FROM CENTRAL TEXAS, INTERFAITH THIS FEBRUARY TO RUN FOR MAYOR FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
AUSTIN'S AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IS DRIVING WORKING FAMILIES OUT OF THE CITY AND OUT OF THE MIDDLE CLASS.
SINCE MAYOR WATSON WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 1997, THE COST OF LIVING HAS GONE THROUGH THE ROOF.
WE HAVE THE FASTEST GROWING CITY FOR MILLIONAIRES.
OUR INCOMING INEQUALITY CONTINUES TO INCREASE AND OUR PERCENTAGE OF BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS CONTINUES TO DECREASE.
WE NEED A LASER FOCUS ON REBUILDING THE MIDDLE CLASS WITH ROBUST INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, LIVING WAGE JOBS, AND SUPPORTING UNIONS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
MY OWN MOM BOUGHT THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN IN 1985 FOR $30,000, AND IN 2008 SOLD IT FOR $15,000.
I BELIEVE IN THE DIGNITY OF OWNING A HOME.
I DID THINK OUR HOUSING CODE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED TO CREATE MORE HOUSING AT ALL LEVELS OF INCOME.
BUT WHAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE UP THE COST OF HOUSING IS THAT 40% OF HOMES IN AUSTIN ARE BOUGHT BY INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS, PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE CAPITAL.
I WILL FIGHT LOCALLY AND AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT OUR HOUSING POLICIES BENEFIT THOSE WHO LIVE HERE AND PLAN TO LIVE HERE.
AUSTIN ALSO NEEDS A MAYOR WHO IS WILLING TO STAND UP TO GREG ABBOTT AND STATE LEADERS WHEN OUR COMMUNITY, OUR LOCAL VALUES ARE UNDER ATTACK.
I WILL WORK WITH STATE LEADERS, BUT I WON'T WORK FOR THEM AND I WON'T STAND WITH ABBOTT TO BRING DPS INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I WON'T GIVE HIS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF SPECIAL FAVORS FOR HIS KIDS' CHARTER SCHOOL, AND I WILL NOT GIVE MY BIGGEST FUNDRAISER THE JOB OF RUNNING THE CITY.
I THINK ALL OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFERS SHOULD BE PAID WELL THROUGH A CONTRACT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIND OF WORK THEY DO, AND WE ALSO SHOULD IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT ALL ELEMENTS OF THE POLICE OVERSIGHT ACT, AS WELL AS ROBUST COMMUNITY POLICING STRATEGIES.
AND I SUPPORT PROJECT CONNECT AND I'LL BE THE MAYOR THAT BRINGS IT IN ON TIME AND ON BUDGET.
I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE LGBTQ PLUS VICTORY FUND, RENOWNED LABOR AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, DOLORES S HUERTA, WHOM I WORKED WITH IN THE LGBT MOVEMENT AND A HOST OF LOCAL COMMUNITY LABOR EDUCATION AND ELECTED LEADERS.
AND I'M RUNNING TO BE AUSTIN'S FIRST OPENLY L-G-B-T-Q MAYOR.
WE HAVE A CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION.
WE CAN BE A PEOPLE OF FATE OR WE CAN BE A PEOPLE OF FAITH.
IF WE'RE PEOPLE OF FAITH, THEN LET'S VOTE FOR THE PERSON WHO'S RUNNING FOR HIS EIGHTH ELECTION IN 27 YEARS.
OR WE CAN BE A PEOPLE OF FAITH.
FAITH IN DEMOCRACY, FAITH IN THE AGENCY OF ACTIVE CITIZENS IN OUR COLLECTIVE POWER TO SOLVE ISSUES LIKE AFFORDABILITY AND PROTECT OUR CIVIL RIGHTS, AND TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AUSTIN AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.
THAT'S THE TYPE OF MAYOR I'LL BE AND I THANK YOU.
PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR CAMPAIGN@GRECOFORAUSTIN.COM AND I ASK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE THIS FALL.
I'M KATHY TOVO AND I'M RUNNING TO BE YOUR NEXT MAYOR BECAUSE WE NEED A MAYOR WHO PUTS PEOPLE FIRST, ONE WHO LISTENS TO THE COMMUNITY AND CREATES POLICY WITH THEM, NOT JUST FOR THEM.
AUSTIN DESERVES A MAYOR WITH A VISION AND THE EXPERIENCE TO GET THINGS DONE.
AND AFTER THREE TERMS ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IN FOUR YEARS AS MAYOR PRO TEM, I KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND HOW TO GET THINGS DONE RIGHT.
AND RICHARDS ONCE SAID, PEOPLE WORK FOR A LIVING, THEY'VE GOT FAMILIES TO RAISE.
THEIR LIVES ARE TOUGH, AND WITH EVERY POLICY AND EVERY VOTE I TOOK AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, WORKING FAMILIES WERE ALWAYS WHO I HAD IN MIND.
I SUPPORTED PAID SICK LEAVE AND INCREASES TO THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE.
I LED IN OPENING THE SOBERING CENTER WHERE MORE THAN 10,000 INDIVIDUALS HAVE
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FOUND A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL OR THE HOSPITAL.I DIRECTED NEGOTIATIONS TO BRING MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TO AUSTIN AND TO LEVERAGE OUR CITY LAND FOR YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAMS AND OTHER BENEFITS.
AND DURING THE PANDEMIC, I LED IN FUNDING A PROGRAM THAT DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN A MILLION MEALS TO A ISD PARENTS AND SUPPORTED 100 JOBS AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING LEAD THIS CITY THROUGH INCREDIBLE CHANGE AND CHALLENGE DROUGHTS, DEVASTATING FLOODING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, AND THE TRANSFORMATION FROM AN AT LARGE CITY COUNCIL TO A GEOGRAPHICALLY BASED SYSTEM.
NO OTHER CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE HAS THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE AT CITY HALL.
OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, I'VE SEEN TROUBLING TRENDS AT CITY HALL, A SUCCESSFUL LAWSUIT AFTER THE MAYOR.
IM PROPERLY CUT OFF COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPEAKING AT COUNCIL MEETINGS, A COUNCIL VOTE TO SELL VALUABLE PARKLAND FOR A LOW PRICE IN A BAD DEAL FOR TAXPAYERS CRAFTED BY ORACLE'S LOBBYIST.
I'VE SEEN THE COUNCIL PASS ZONING CHANGES AFFECTING EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN AUSTIN WITHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL OR ANTI-DISPLACEMENT PROTECTIONS, AND I SAW THE MAYOR INVITE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO PATROL AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN A PLAN HATCHED WITHOUT PUBLIC INPUT OR COUNCIL KNOWLEDGE, AND ONE THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
I'M RUNNING BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE WORK TO DO AND I BELIEVE WE NEED A NEW MAYOR TO GET IT DONE.
AS I KNOCK ON DOORS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, AUSTINITES SHARE THEIR WORRY THAT THEY CAN'T STAY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS MUCH LONGER.
NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CHANGING AROUND THEM, ESPECIALLY IN EAST AUSTIN WHERE GENTRIFICATION IS DRIVEN OUT.
SO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WE CAN'T CONTROL THE HOUSING MARKET, BUT WE HAVE STRATEGIES THAT COULD HELP, LIKE PRESERVING EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT DEMOLISHING IT, AND INVESTING IN HOME REPAIR PROGRAMS. WE CAN ENCOURAGE AREA UNIVERSITIES TO BUILD STUDENT HOUSING AND EXPLORE PROGRAMS TO HELP RENTERS PURCHASE PROPERTIES.
AND AS I'VE LONG CHAMPIONED, WE CAN BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON CITY OWNED LAND AND PRIORITIZE SOME HOUSING FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.
AS YOUR MAYOR, I'LL WORK TO HOLD DOWN ESCALATING TAXES AND FEES BY CUTTING UNNECESSARY SPENDING, AND I'LL WORK HARD TO ENSURE THAT AUSTIN FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE CITY AND TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS. AS A WORKING MOM, I DEPENDED ON HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND EVERY FAMILY WITH CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, SHOULD HAVE THAT SAME ACCESS.
AUSTIN'S A CITY WHERE MANY HAVE MADE THEIR FORTUNES AND ALSO A CITY WHERE TOO MANY CHILDREN REGULARLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
WHERE A SCAN OF THE REAL ESTATE SECTION WILL REVEAL LUXURY APARTMENTS DOWNTOWN ON THE VERY STREETS WHERE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS SLEEP NEARBY.
I'M PREPARED TO BE THE CHAMPION.
OUR CITY NEEDS TO ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO INVEST DEEPLY IN THE WORK OF CREATING PERMANENT HOUSING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
I'LL ALSO ADVOCATE TO EXPAND WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR HIGH DEMAND JOBS AND TO CONSIDER EXTENDING LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENTS TO THE CITY'S VENDORS AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS TO HELP ENSURE BETTER WAGES FOR MORE AUSTINITES.
AND I'M PREPARED TO BE A CLIMATE CHAMPION MAYOR.
I EARNED THE AUSTIN SIERRA CLUB'S ENDORSEMENT IN THIS RACE BECAUSE OF MY STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD.
I INITIATED THE AUSTIN FOOD PLAN AND THE HUNDRED YEAR WATER CONSERVATION PLAN WATER FORWARD.
AND AS MAYOR, I'LL MAKE SURE OUR CITY IMPLEMENTS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS AND BALANCES DEVELOPMENT ALONGSIDE PARKS AND OPEN SPACES.
WE CAN BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL AUSTINITES HAVE ACCESS TO THE JOBS, HOUSING, AND THE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
IN MY FIRST TERM ON COUNCIL, MY THEN 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER MADE ME THIS HELPING THE COMMUNITY AWARD AND I HUNG IT IN MY OFFICE TO REMIND ME THAT WITH EVERY COUNCIL VOTE, I WAS HELPING SHAPE THE FUTURE, NOT JUST FOR MY CHILDREN, BUT FOR ALL OF AUSTIN'S CHILDREN.
AND I KEEP THIS AWARD ON MY WALL NOW TO REMIND ME WHY I AM RUNNING FOR MAYOR FOR A BETTER AUSTIN, FOR AN AUSTIN WHERE ALL FAMILIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.
WE'RE AN INNOVATIVE CITY, AND I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR FUTURE WORKING TOGETHER.
I KNOW WE CAN CREATE THE AUSTIN WE ALL WANT TO SEE.
I'M KATHY TOVO AND I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR VOTE.
MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES AND I'M PROUD TO SERVE YOU AS YOUR DISTRICT TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I'M RUNNING FOR REELECTION BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE STRENGTH OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THE RESILIENCE OF AUSTIN.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU.
SINCE TAKING OFFICE, I HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON BRINGING CITY HALL TO DISTRICT TWO AND MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK FOR YOU.
I'VE CONSISTENTLY ENGAGED WITH CONSTITUENTS, ATTENDING NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AND LISTENING TO YOUR CONCERNS.
I HAVE WORKED TO ENSURE THAT THE VOICES OF DISTRICT TWO RESIDENTS ARE HEARD IN CITY HALL ADVOCATING FOR OUR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES.
WE RAISED THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $20 PER HOUR AND EXPANDED PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR CITY WORKERS FOR 12 WEEKS, ENSURING FAIR TREATMENT AND COMPENSATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
I EXPANDED ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND DUAL LANGUAGE FULL DAY PRE-K FOR FAMILIES IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT.
WE MADE LIBRARY CARDS FREE FOR ALL YOUTH IN TRAVIS COUNTY, PROMOTING
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EDUCATION AND LITERACY FOR OUR CHILDREN.I ALSO LED THE CREATION OF THE TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, ENSURING VICTIMS HAVE A SAFE SPACE TO HEAL, RECEIVE COUNSELING, SERVICES, AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES.
ADDITIONALLY, WE LAUNCHED A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, EMPOWERING LOCAL RESIDENTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH AND IMPROVE OVERALL COMMUNITY WELLNESS.
I LED THE INITIATIVE TO TO CREATE THE DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAMS, HELPING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING RESOURCES.
I ALSO LED THE WAY IN CREATING RESILIENCY HUBS AND THE INITIATIVE TO BURY OUR POWER LINES.
RESILIENCY HUBS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT DURING EMERGENCIES, ENSURING THAT OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS STRONG AND CONNECTED IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
BY BURYING OUR POWER LINES, WE AIM TO ENHANCE THE RELIABILITY OF OUR ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, REDUCING THE RISK OF OUTAGES DURING SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS, AND IMPROVING OUR OVERALL PUBLIC SAFETY.
THESE EFFORTS ARE CRUCIAL TO BUILDING A MORE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE CITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT, I KNOW WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH MORE.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND WE MUST ACT NOW.
I'M COMMITTED TO STEPPING UP FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT BY ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND POLICIES.
OUR DISTRICT URGENTLY NEEDS FUNDING FOR DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF DESTRUCTIVE AND DEADLY FLOODS THAT HAVE AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY.
WE CANNOT IGNORE THESE CHALLENGES ANY LONGER BY PROVIDING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND SUPPORT.
I AIM TO CREATE A COMMUNITY WHERE SENIORS CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND COMFORTABLY IN THEIR HOMES FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
THIS INCLUDES IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, AND FOSTERING A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL AGES.
AND FINALLY, I'M COMMITTED TO CREATING A COMPLETE CONNECTED COMMUNITY ACROSS THE CITY.
THIS MEANS ENSURING THAT EVERY RESIDENT CAN HAVE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES.
CONVENIENTLY, EVERYONE DESERVES THE ABILITY TO QUICKLY GET TO YOUR NE NEARBY PARK, TO YOUR GROCERY STORE, TO YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE.
BY FOSTERING A WELL CONNECTED URBAN ENVIRONMENT, WE CAN ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL CITIZENS, PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES, AND BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CITY.
SO JOIN OUR PEOPLE POWERED CAMPAIGN.
TOGETHER WE'LL BUILD A MORE STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT AUSTIN.
AND REMEMBER, YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
LET'S KEEP WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS LOUIS HERRON AND I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, SOME OF MY BACKGROUND, I HAVE LIVED IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR THE LAST 43 YEARS, AND I HAVE LIVED IN THE DISTRICT, UH, FOR, FOR THE LAST 34 YEARS.
UH, ONE OF MY SONS IS A GRADUATE OF WEST POINT, THE OTHER ONE IS A GRADUATE OF TEXAS A AND M AND FORESTRY.
BOTH MY SONS ARE, UH, EAGLE SCOUTS AND UH, BOTH OF MY SONS, UH, ARE BASICALLY ARE FIREFIGHTERS.
UH, ONE IS HE WORKS ON FORESTRY FIRES AND THE OTHER ONE'S THE VOLUNTEER FARMING.
I HAVE BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOME SCHOOL OF THE HOME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, AND THAT'S LIKE THE PTA.
I'VE BEEN THE CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE CAMPUS ADVISORY, UH, COUNCIL AT, UH, JOHNSTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND I HAVE SERVED ON MY CHURCH'S FINANCIAL BOARD.
I AM A, UH, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I DO MAINLY CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK.
I GOT MY DEGREE FROM TEXAS A AND M, AND I HAVE WORKED FOR THE STATE FOR THE LAST 45 YEARS.
UH, PLUS IN MY BACKGROUND BE BESIDES ENVIRONMENTAL, I HAVE A RAILROAD BACKGROUND AND TRANSPORTATION BACKGROUND.
I HAVE WRITTEN MOST OF THE STATE'S ENVIRONMENTAL RULES ON, UH, WATER QUALITY FOR, UH, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL.
I HAVE WRITTEN, UH, THE RULES ON SEVERAL OTHER.
I'VE WORKED ON SEVERAL OTHER THINGS, UH, CITY LEVELS INCLUDING GREASE TRAP ORDINANCES AND STUFF OF THAT NATURE.
I HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO, UH, I'VE, I'VE HAD SEVERAL AWARDS, BUT TWO AWARDS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP TO Y'ALL IS I WON THE NA I WON A NATIONAL LEVEL AWARD FROM THE WATER RE ASSOCIATION.
IT'S CALLED THE ADVOCACY AWARD, AND IT'S GIVEN TO THE PERSON THAT PROMOTES WATER REUSE IN THE COUNTRY.
AND I'VE BEEN ALSO AWARDED BY THE WATER ENVIRONMENTAL, UH, FEDERATION OF TEXAS, THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC OFFICIAL.
THIS AWARD IS USUALLY GIVEN TO, UH, STATE REPRESENTATIVES, UH, ELECTED OFFICIALS, HEADS OF AGENCIES, AND I THINK I'M THE FIRST STAFF LEVEL PERSON TO EVER WIN THIS AWARD, AND IT'S GIVEN FOR MY WORK ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
UH, THE REASON I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL IS I AM TIRED OF THE WAY THE CITY'S
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BEING RUN.I STARTED COMING TO AUSTIN BACK IN THE SEVENTIES, UH, AND AUSTIN USED TO BE A NICE PLACE TO, UH, TO LIVE.
THE CITY HAS GROWN, BUT THE CITY HAS MANY PROBLEMS DATING BACK TO THE SEVENTIES WHEN WE HAD THE NO GROWTH COUNCIL, WHERE THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO EXPEND ROADS.
AND IF I'M ELECTED, THE THINGS THAT I AM LOOKING FOR CHANGING IS PUBLIC SAFETY, TRYING TO GET THE CITY INTO AN ASSET MANAGEMENT.
I'M CALLING FOR A CITYWIDE AUDIT OF ALL THEIR PROGRAMS, AND I'M TALKING FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT.
I WANT SOMEBODY TO COME IN, LOOK AT THE CITY SERVICES, SEE WHAT'S BEING DUPLICATED, WHAT WE STILL NEED, WHAT WE DON'T NEED, WHAT WE COMBINE, TRIED TO SAVE THE CITY MONEY.
I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THE WAY THE, UH, THE WAY THE CITY SENDS MONEY ON LIKE HOMELESSNESS, UH, HOUSING AND ALL THIS.
ARE WE GETTING WHAT WE'RE PAYING FOR? UH, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE INTERNAL AUDIT THAT THEY DID ON THE HOMELESS, THEY CAN'T FIND, UH, WHERE A LOT OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO.
AND, UH, I AM TIRED THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN, IT'S LOOKING AT, UH, WHAT CALIFORNIA'S DOING.
THOSE ARE FAILED EXAMPLES, UH, ON TRANSPORTATION.
THE CITY IS GONNA MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND.
THEY THINK THE TRAINS THE BUSES, BUT THEY'RE CHANGING THE ROAD.
DESIGNS FOR BUSES AND STUFF CAN'T GET TO 'EM.
AND WE NEED TO, UH, LOOK AT THE OVERALL CITY PROJECT.
AND AGAIN, UH, LIKE I SAID, I AM RUNNING FOR, AND I'M NOT TIED TO ANY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP.
I AM FOR SOMEBODY TO, UH, TRY TO MAKE A, A TRY TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE CITY.
LIKE I SAID, I WANNA PUT THE CITY BACK ON WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO.
HEALTH AND SAFETY SHOULD BE THEIR FINAL OR THEIR MAIN GOAL, AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD BE COMING SECONDARY.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, UH, FOR, UM, LISTENING TO ME, AND IF YOU WANNA SUPPORT ME, I'D BE VERY HAPPY.
MY WEBSITE IS LOUIS DO, UH, LOUIS HERRIN.COM.
I'M MONICA GUSMAN, NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER, TRAINED ORGANIZER AND COMMUNITY CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN, GRADUATED FROM LANIER HIGH SCHOOL, NOW NAVARRO, AND WORKED MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE.
LIKE MANY, I'M A RENTER IN THE RUNDBERG AREA.
I KNOW THE PERSONAL STRUGGLE OF SEEKING STABILITY FOR OUR FAMILIES.
MANY OF US LIVING HERE FEEL AS THOUGH WE'RE BEING LEFT BEHIND.
THREATENED BY GENTRIFICATION AND DISPLACEMENT.
RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS ALIKE ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE GREW UP IN.
I WAS A SINGLE PARENT AT A YOUNG AGE AND MOVED BETWEEN FAMILY HOMES BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD RENT ON MINIMUM WAGE.
ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PAY RENT, I WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE MOVE IN SPECIALS.
MY STRUGGLES WERE OVER 30 YEARS AGO, AND MANY IN DISTRICT FOUR ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME STRUGGLES.
NOW I HAVE DEEP ROOTS IN OUR BELOVED CITY, AND AS AN ORGANIZER AND POLICY DIRECTOR, I WORK WITH AND SUPPORT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ADDRESSING ISSUES IN DISTRICT FOUR AND OTHER PARTS OF BOSTON TO CRAFT RESIDENT INFORMED POLICY.
I HAVE A DEEP COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY CENTERED SOLUTIONS AND WILL LEVERAGE MY GRASSROOTS EXPERIENCE TO ADDRESS THE PRESSING ISSUES FACING DISTRICT FOUR AND AUSTIN.
I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OUR COMMUNITIES FACE AND ENVISION IN AUSTIN THAT PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY WELLBEING, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
MY POLICY PRIORITIES ARE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS TO CREATE A CITY WHERE EVERY RESIDENT CAN THRIVE.
MY POSITION ON HOUSING IS BASED ON MY LIVED EXPERIENCE AND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE DISTRICT FOUR RESIDENTS.
AUSTIN'S NOT EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS.
WE'RE EXPERIENCING AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.
WE NEED NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY.
A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH IS NOT THE ANSWER WE NEED REFINED POLICY FROM PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS PUBLIC, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, PUBLIC PROFIT AND SUBSIDIZED HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND MARKET RATE HOUSING FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.
WHEN LOOKING AT INCOME RESTRICTED HOUSING, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME OF THE CENSUS TRACT, NOT TRAVIS COUNTY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CENSUS TRACT MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IS LOWER THAN THAT OF THE COUNTY WE'RE IN.
CLIMATE CHANGE, CLIMATE RESILIENCY IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
WE NEED TO ENSURE THE COMMUNITY IS EDUCATED ABOUT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LOW OR NO COST FOR LOW INCOME AND WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS.
AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, I WILL COLLABORATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE STANDING RESILIENCE HUBS.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS INCLUDE HOLISTIC PUBLIC HEALTH PARKS, LIBRARIES, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY HEALTH PARAMEDICS, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND OTHER CRITICAL NEEDS.
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IN THE COMMUNITY, PEOPLE WHO ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES CAN BETTER ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.IT ALSO ALLOWS POLICE OFFICERS TO FOCUS ON WHAT THEY ARE TRAINED TO DO INSTEAD OF RESPONDING TO CALLS MEANT TO BE ANSWERED BY OTHERS.
CITYWIDE AUSTIN RESIDENTS HAVE ASKED IF I'M RUNNING FOR COUNCIL, COMMUNITY VOICES HAVE BEEN SILENCED AND ARE STILL BEING SILENCED.
THERE'S A CRITICAL NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CENTERING RESIDENTS IN PLANNING AND POLICY MAKING PROCESSES.
DISTRICT FOUR NEEDS A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO IS ROOTED IN COMMUNITY, REPRESENTS THEIR CONSTITUENCY, AND ENSURES DECISIONS LARGE AND SMALL ARE RESIDENT INFORMED.
I'VE BEEN ORGANIZING FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS TO RAISE OUR COMMUNITY'S VOICES IN THE DECISION MAKING.
AT CITY HALL AND BEYOND, ESPECIALLY FOLKS OFTEN EXCLUDED FROM CONVERSATIONS.
WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE OUR VALUES AND OUR PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTED IN CITY HALL, AND IN TURN, ENSURE CITY HALL IS PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES SO THEY CAN SEE HOW THEIR POLICIES ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY.
CORE TO MY WORK FOR THE LAST DECADE IS LISTENING TO AND CO-CREATING POLICY IDEAS WITH MY NEIGHBORS, COLLEAGUES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS.
AS YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER, I PROMISE TO CONTINUE IN THIS SPIRIT AND BE THE COMMUNITY'S REPRESENTATIVE.
THIS MEANS INFORMING AND INVOLVING OUR COMMUNITY IN CRAFTING SOLUTIONS THAT TRULY WORK FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR BECAUSE RESIDENTS ALL OVER AUSTIN HAVE ASKED ME TO RUN.
THEY WANT A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP, A LEADER WHO WORKS ALONGSIDE THEM WHILE FIGHTING TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS.
MY DOORS OPEN BECAUSE I AM ONE OF YOU.
IT'S PART OF WHO I AM TO INCLUDE, INFORM, AND INVOLVE ALL RESIDENTS IN WHAT IS OFTEN AN INACCESSIBLE CITY GOVERNMENT.
MY DOOR IS OPEN TO YOU BECAUSE I VALUE RESIDENTS.
RESIDENTS ARE CENTRAL TO THE SOLUTIONS FOR THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE FACE.
IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF COMMUNITY, IN THE STRENGTH OF OUR SHARED VALUES, AND IN THE PROMISE OF A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR CITY, THEN I URGE YOU TO JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN TODAY.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BETTER CITY FOR ALL OF US.
YOUR VOTE AND GENEROUS DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I AM THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT FOUR.
UH, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, FOR THESE LAST FEW YEARS.
AND I AM, UH, ASKING THE VOTERS TO SEND ME BACK FOR, UH, A SECOND TERM.
UH, LEMME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF.
I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW.
I ALSO ATTENDED THE LBJ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, SO I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLICY AND LAW FOR, FOR VIRTUALLY MY ENTIRE LIFE.
UH, AT THIS POINT, UH, UH, THE FIRST JOB I HAD OUT OF LAW SCHOOL, I WAS, UH, AN ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR, UH, OPEN RECORDS.
SO I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT OPEN RECORDS.
I WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR FOUR YEARS, UH, AS GENERAL COUNSEL TO A STATE REP.
AND THEN I HAD MY OWN PRIVATE PRACTICE HANDLING CRIMINAL DEFENSE, UH, AND IMMIGRATION MATTERS, UH, FOR, UH, MORE THAN A DECADE.
UH, BEFORE I CAME ONTO COUNCIL, UH, I'VE ALSO BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
I WAS, UH, ON THE BOARD FOR THE WORKERS' DEFENSE PROJECT.
I WAS BOARD CHAIR FOR WORKERS' DEFENSE PROJECT, AND I WAS A PRESIDENT OF THE, UH, BLANTON ELEMENTARY, UH, PTA, UH, REALLY ENJOYED MY TIME VOLUNTEERING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
UM, THE FIRST TERM HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL TERM.
THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY GOOD AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL THAT HAS PASSED A NUMBER OF, UH, HOUSING REFORMS THAT HAVE, UH, BROUGHT MORE HOUSING TO AUSTIN.
BOTH, UH, AFFORDABLE, UH, AND JUST MARKET RATE HOUSING, BADLY NEEDED HOUSING AND THAT, AND, AND BECAUSE WE'RE BUILDING SO MUCH HOUSING, WE HAVE SEEN, UH, RENTS, UH, DRIFT DOWN A BIT AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT, UH, AND LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, UH, MOVING, CONTINUING TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION AND, AND, UH, BRINGING, UH, UH, AFFORDABILITY, I'D SAY AT LEAST, UH, MAKING AUSTIN MORE AFFORDABLE, UH, THAN IT HAS BEEN OVER THESE, UH, UH, LAST, UH, FEW YEARS.
UM, WE HAVE ALSO MADE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS OVER THIS, UH, LAST TERM IN, UH, TRANSPORTATION.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES THAT ARE GOING IN ALL OVER THE CITY, UH, UH, GAINING, UH, UH, MOBILITY FOR, UH, PEDESTRIANS AND, AND BICYCLISTS.
UH, WE'VE MADE, UH, UH, WE'VE MADE CHANGES TO OUR, OUR PARKING RULES, UH, GIVING, UH, BUSINESS OWNERS AND, AND, UH, APARTMENTS MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF, UH, PARKING THAT THEY DECIDE TO PUT INTO A PROJECT.
THIS WILL ALLOW FOR, FOR MORE HOUSING AND, AND MORE BUSINESSES INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, LARGE, UH, SEAS OF, UH, EMPTY PARKING LOTS, WHICH WE SEE TOO MUCH OF IN, IN AUSTIN, UH, NOWADAYS.
UM, AND WE'VE BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL IN PARKS.
UH, WE JUST, UH, CUT THE RIBBON ON THE HIGHLAND NEIGHBORHOOD PARK RIGHT THERE OFF OF, UH, ST.
SOON WE'LL BE OPENING BROWNIE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, UH, FARTHER NORTH IN DISTRICT FOUR.
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UH, WE ALSO OPENED, UH, A PALMER LOW PARK, A LITTLE TWO ACRE POCKET PARK IN, UH, IN THE WINDSOR PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, BRINGING, UH, RECREATIONAL, UH, OPPORTUNITIES PARKS TO THE LARGELY WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT FOUR.AGAIN, I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT.
LOOKING FORWARD TO A SECOND TERM.
UH, I'VE JOKED AROUND THAT IF IN MY SECOND TERM, UH, PROJECT CONNECT, OUR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT IS, UH, GETTING BUILT AND, UH, THE FAYETTE COAL PLANT, THE AUSTIN ENERGY'S, UH, COAL PLANT OUT IN, UH, FAYETTE IS CLOSING.
UH, I'LL BE A, A HAPPY COUNCIL MEMBER IN 2028.
UH, PROJECT CONNECT IS CRITICAL FOR MOBILITY IN AUSTIN.
JUST ABOUT ALL OUR PEER CITIES HAVE A GOOD LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THAT BUILT AND OPERATING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
I WILL PUSH FOR THAT IN MY SECOND TERM.
AND, UH, JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CLOSING THE FAYETTE COAL PLANT, IT IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF, UH, AIR POLLUTION FOR AUSTIN.
IT IS THE NUMBER ONE SINGLE SOURCE OF AIR POLLUTION.
UH, IT RELEASES A LOT OF, UH, CARBON AS WELL.
IT, IT'S A 40 PLUS YEAR OLD COAL PLANT THAT WE'VE GOT TO CLOSE DOWN FOR, FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.
UH, BUT IF WE'RE GONNA FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE AND IF WE'RE GONNA PROTECT OUR AIR QUALITY, WE'VE GOT TO SHUT DOWN THE FA COAL PLANT.
I SAID IF WE'RE BUILDING LIGHT RAIL, UH, AND CLOSING THE COAL PLANT AT THE END OF MY NEXT TERM, UH, THAT WILL BE A GOOD SUCCESSFUL TERM.
UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR, FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.
UM, AGAIN, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER.
I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK AND HAVING A SOLID SECOND TERM AND I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I'M RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AS MCKENZIE KELLY'S SOLE CHALLENGER TO REPRESENT NORTHWEST AUSTIN.
I'M RUNNING BECAUSE WE NEED TO PUT PROBLEM SOLVING BEFORE POLITICS AND WE ALL NEED MORE RESULTS AND LESS RHETORIC.
I HAVE A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONALLY IN HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.
I GRADUATED FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND I ALSO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON AND HAVE LIVED IN AUSTIN SINCE 2000.
I HAVE DEEP TIES IN DISTRICT SIX AND I HAVE THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE TO COME TO THE TABLE AND HELP US REACH SOLUTIONS.
I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT ME TODAY FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION@KRISTALANE.COM.
HELLO, I'M MACKENZIE KELLY AND I'M RUNNING FOR REELECTION TO CONTINUE SERVING AS YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN DISTRICT SIX.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN DISTRICT SIX AND I'VE BEEN HONORED TO REPRESENT YOU AND TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR VALUES, THE ONES THAT MATTER MOST TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WHEN YOU FIRST ELECTED ME TO OFFICE IN DECEMBER OF 2020, WE FACED A CITY MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, FAILED POLICIES, PUT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AT RISK.
WE SAW RISING CRIME AND DIMINISHING SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT AS A FUTURE FOR DISTRICT SIX.
OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY AND ENSURING THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS THE RESOURCES THAT IT NEEDS TO THRIVE.
I'VE WORKED HARD TO AUTHOR LIFE-SAVING INITIATIVES SUCH AS EXPANDING THE WHOLE BLOOD PROGRAM AT AUSTIN EMS, WHICH HAS SAVED OVER 200 LIVES IN THE LAST YEAR.
I ALSO OPENED THE FIRST EVER PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER FOR POLICE IN DISTRICT SIX, GIVING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD A MUCH NEEDED SPACE FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN OTHERS WANTED TO STRIP OUR POLICE OF CRITICAL TOOLS, I FOUGHT BACK TO BRING THE LICENSE PLATE READER PROGRAM TO AUSTIN, WHICH HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN RESCUING VICTIMS OF KIDNAPPINGS, VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND RECOVERING STOLEN VEHICLES.
THESE ARE NOT JUST POLICIES, THEY ARE ACTIONS THAT HAVE SAVED LIVES AND MADE OUR DISTRICT AND THE CITY A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE.
DURING MY FIRST TERM ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, I'VE BROUGHT A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE VOICES IN DISTRICT SIX ARE HEARD AND RESPECTED.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GO BACK TO THE FAILED POLICIES OF 2020 THAT LED TO RISING CRIME AND A BREAKDOWN OF PUBLIC TRUST.
MY WORK ON PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MY COMMITMENT TO SERVE, INCLUDING IN MY ROLE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AND RECENTLY RECEIVING MY ADVANCED FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION.
I ALSO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, HAVING BEEN ONE OF 23 GRADUATES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS FROM FEMA'S ADVANCED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACADEMY JUST THIS YEAR, I UNDERSTAND FIRSTHAND WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THAT WORK.
IN ADDITION TO PUBLIC SAFETY, I'VE BEEN A VOICE FOR RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
DISTRICT SIX IS UNIQUE AND I HAVE CONSISTENTLY VOTED TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY FROM POLICIES THAT DON'T FIT OUR DISTRICT, LIKE THE HOME INITIATIVE AND THAT E TAUGHT OVERLAY, WHICH CAUSED BLANKET REZONING AND THE SUBDIVISION OF LOTS WITHOUT
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CONSIDERING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND TOOK AWAY THE RIGHTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS.AT THE SAME TIME, I'VE SUPPORTED AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT WORK FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SUCH AS EASING RESTRICTIONS TO ADD ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO ENSURE FAMILIES CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE.
AS WE LOOK FORWARD, I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR POLICIES THAT ENHANCE OUR F PUBLIC SAFETY, KEEP OUR COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE, AND ENSURE RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT DISTRICT SIX DESERVES A REPRESENTATIVE WHO WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR YOUR SAFETY, YOUR HOME, AND YOUR FUTURE, I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE.
I'M ALSO PROUD TO SAY THAT I WAS THE ONLY COUNCIL MEMBER TO HAVE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS IN THE LAST BUDGET, FIGHTING TO KEEP OUR PROPERTY TAXES FROM SKYROCKETING, WHILE OTHERS ON COUNCIL HAVE PUSHED FOR HIGHER SPENDING THAT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN AUSTIN.
I REMAIN FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS AND REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HARDWORKING FAMILIES.
KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE WHILE BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE HAS BEEN MY PRIORITY AND I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR LOWER TAXES AND RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING IN MY SECOND TERM.
I APPRECIATE YOUR TRUST AND SUPPORT.
I'M MACKENZIE KELLY, AND I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE FOR A SECOND TERM TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT WE'VE STARTED.
OUR DISTRICT AND OUR CITY DESERVE LEADERSHIP THAT PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND RESPONSIBLE GROWTH.
I FOUGHT CONSISTENTLY FOR SAFER, MORE SECURE CITY OF AUSTIN THROUGH LIFESAVING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES, AND WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, I WILL CONTINUE TO BE YOUR ADVOCATE AT CITY HALL.
TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND LET'S BUILD ON THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE AND ENSURE THAT AUSTIN REMAINS A CITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN FEEL SAFE, THRIVE, AND CALL HOME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRUST AND AGAIN, I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR A SAFER AUSTIN.
MY NAME IS GARY BLEDSO AND I'M A CANDIDATE FOR THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE BECAUSE WE NEED A CHANGE.
JUST AS THE CITY HAS CHANGED DEMOGRAPHICALLY OVER THE PAST 10 TO 20 YEARS, IT'S PRETTY MUCH BUSINESS AS USUAL AT THE COUNCIL WITH THE INSIDERS, CRONIES, AND NOW BILLIONAIRES GETTING THEIR WAY, WE'VE SEEN THE COUNCIL BECOME LESS WELCOMING AND MORE HOSTILE TO REGULAR CITIZENS TRYING TO HAVE THEIR SAY AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND TRYING TO ENGAGE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
THREE TIMES THIS YEAR, THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SUED FOR VIOLATING TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS LAWS THREE TIMES AND THE YEAR IS NOT OVER YET.
WE'VE SEEN A COUNCIL THAT HAS GIVEN A RUBBER STAMP TO DEVELOPERS AT THE EXPENSE OF CREATING MORE HEAT ISLANDS IN AUSTIN, AND YES, WE NEED MORE HOUSING, WE EVEN NEED MORE DENSITY, BUT THOSE THINGS CANNOT BE DONE IN A VACUUM WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
AUSTIN'S TREE CANOPY, HEAT ISLANDS, AND OTHER CLIMATE ISSUES, THIS CANNOT BE DONE BY DIVIDING AND CONQUERING OUR PRECIOUS CITY WITH ZERO SUM GAME POLITICS.
THEY SHOULD BE DONE WITH TRANSPARENCY AND MEANINGFUL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF HOUSING, WE NEED A HOUSING INITIATIVE THAT ISN'T JUST CENTERED ON BUILDING MORE HOUSING FOR AFFLUENT PEOPLE OR PEOPLE WHO EARN THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME OR NEAR THAT LEVEL OR JUST NEWCOMERS TO THE CITY.
WE NEED A HOUSING INITIATIVE THAT ALSO ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHOSE INCOMES FALL SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME FOR AUSTIN AND THE FOLKS WHO BUILT THE CITY, INCLUDING WORKERS AND ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, TEACHERS, GOVERNMENT WORKERS.
THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DETERMINED SOLELY BY MARKET FACTORS BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN THAT TV SHOW BEFORE AND FRANKLY, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THE RERUN, SO WE NEED A VOICE AND REPRESENTATION ON THE COUNCIL WHO CAN STAND UP TO THE POWERS THAT ARE TAKING THE CITY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
WE NEED A FIGHTER, AND AS A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, I AM THAT PERSON.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING TRANSFORMATIVE AND HISTORIC.
IF YOU VOTE FOR ME AND I WIN, IT WILL BREAK ANOTHER GLASS CEILING IN THIS CITY BECAUSE I WOULD BE
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THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO A SEAT THAT WASN'T DESIGNATED FOR A BLACK PERSON.SO I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AUSTIN, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT YOU.
MY NAME IS PIERRE WYNN AND I'M RUNNING TO REPRESENT YOU ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT SEVEN.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN A CITY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE, A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF ALL ITS RESIDENTS, FROM WORKING FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO SENIORS AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS.
AS THE SON OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, I GREW UP WATCHING MY PARENTS NAVIGATE SYSTEMS NOT DESIGNED FOR THEM.
THEIR RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION SHAPED MY VALUES AND FUELED MY COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
SINCE MOVING TO AUSTIN, I'VE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN MULTIPLE CAPACITIES.
I'M A HUSBAND, DOG DAD, PROUD NEIGHBOR, EMERGENCY MANAGER, AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER.
I HAVE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNITY HEALTH, DISASTER RESPONSE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY EXPERIENCE THAT DIRECTLY TRANSLATES TO THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN AUSTIN TODAY.
DISTRICT SEVEN IS HOME TO A DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT DESERVES TO BE SEEN, HEARD, AND SUPPORTED.
I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, PROMOTING LANGUAGE ACCESS, CULTURAL SENSITIVITY, AND BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.
I'VE WORKED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORS FOCUSING ON EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT, GENTRIFICATION, AND ACCESS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. I KNOW THAT WHEN WE LIFT UP EVERY CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY, EVERYONE THRIVES.
I BELIEVE WE NEED PRAGMATIC COMMUNITY ROOTED SOLUTIONS FOR OUR MOST PRESSING ISSUES.
THAT MEANS ENSURING RELIABLE TRANSIT THAT CONNECTS WORKING CLASS AND DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE HEART OF OUR CITY, BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES FROM BEING DISPLACED AND PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE.
MY 16 POINT PRIORITY PLAN FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL WAYS WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE AUSTIN.
IF ELECTED, I WILL BE YOUR ADVOCATE AT CITY HALL.
I WILL LISTEN, LEARN AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THAT POLICIES REFLECT YOUR NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS.
I'M NOT JUST SOMEONE WHO READS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WE FACE.
I'VE WORKED ALONGSIDE MANY OF YOU TO TACKLE THEM.
I SERVED IN THE US COAST GUARD AND RAISED MY HAND TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS STEPPING UP WHEN OUR COMMUNITY NEEDED IT MOST.
I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND GET THINGS DONE.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PASSING POLICIES.
IT'S ABOUT EDUCATING AND UNITING OUR COMMUNITY, BUILDING RESILIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP AND CREATING SYSTEMS THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE.
I'M COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MEETING YOU WHERE YOU ARE TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS.
AS YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER, I WILL BE FOCUSED ON PRACTICAL ON THE GROUND SOLUTIONS RATHER THAN TOP DOWN APPROACHES THAT OFTEN OVERLOOK THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I'M HERE TODAY ASKING FOR YOUR TRUST AND YOUR SUPPORT.
I WANT TO SERVE AS AER WHO BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, WHO LISTENS AND LEARNS, AND WHO FIGHTS FOR A CITY THAT TRULY WORKS FOR ALL OF US.
THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ME AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD AN AUSTIN THAT SERVES EVERYONE.
THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EARNING YOUR VOTE.
HELLO, I'M TODD SHAW AND I'M SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT TO REPRESENT DISTRICT SEVEN AS THE NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER.
I GREW UP IN EL PASO AND CAME TO AUSTIN IN 1981 TO ATTEND UT GRADUATED WITH A CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE, HAD AN ACCOMPLISHED CAREER AT AUSTIN ENERGY DURING WHICH TIME I MARRIED MY WIFE AMY.
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE IN THE WONDERFUL ALLENDALE NEIGHBORHOOD AND RAISED OUR SON IAN.
WE WERE FORTUNATE TO EXPERIENCE OUR INCREDIBLE SCHOOLS WHERE MY SON THRIVED IN THE LAMAR AND MACALLAN FINE ARTS PROGRAMS. I CAN'T IMAGINE LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE.
WHY AM I RUNNING FOR OFFICE? I'M RUNNING TO UNITE AUSTINITES AND MEETING THE TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES WE FACE FROM THE UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS WHILE
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MAINTAINING THE CHARACTER, THE CULTURE, AND THE VALUES THAT MADE ME AND SO MANY OTHERS FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS CITY.THERE IS NOTHING I ENJOY MORE THAN WATCHING A LOCAL VAN PERFORM AT ONE OF OUR MANY MUSIC VENUES, SPENDING AN AFTERNOON HIKING ALONG MARTIN CREEK OR PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AT ONE OF OUR MANY GREAT PARKS.
AUSTINITES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF STANDING UP FOR OUR VALUES, INCLUDING DEFENDING WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, CURVING GUN VIOLENCE, AND CALLING FOR THE FULL FUNDING FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
BUT ON LOCAL MATTERS, AUSTIN, WE ARE OFTEN UNABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND.
IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT OUR METRO AREAS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE IN SIZE TO 4 MILLION PEOPLE BY 2040 AND THIS ALONG WITH CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS ALREADY STRESSING OUR STRAINED INFRASTRUCTURE, WE MUST COME TOGETHER AND TAKE ACTION TO PREPARE FOR THIS FUTURE WITH THESE IMMENSE CHALLENGES.
DISTRICT SEVEN NEEDS SOMEONE WITH THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE SOLVING THE PROBLEMS WE FACE AND THE ABILITY TO BRING DIVIDED GROUPS TOGETHER TO FIND CONSENSUS.
I SERVED THE PUBLIC FOR 30 YEARS AS A LEADER AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AT AUSTIN ENERGY.
UNLIKE THE OTHER CANDIDATES, I HAVE LED PROJECTS THAT ACTUALLY CLEANED OUR AIR, WATER, AND LAND AND ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE.
I MANAGE TEAMS RESPONSIBLE FOR CON, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CHILLED WATER PLANTS AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO OUR CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE.
IN 2018, I JOINED THE PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH I CHAIRED FOR THREE YEARS.
I HEARD HUNDREDS OF ZONING CASES AND PLAN AMENDMENTS SERVED ON WORKING GROUPS AND JOINT COMMITTEES, RECOMMENDING CHANGES TO OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND CODES.
I WANTED TO CHAIR THE COMMISSION TO BRING A MORE COLLABORATIVE, RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT TO THE TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS.
I AM PROUD OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE YEARS, BUT OUR WORK ON HOME PHASE ONE REALLY STANDS OUT.
WE WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER TO IMPROVE THE STAFF'S DRAFT CODE SO THAT IT ACTUALLY PRODUCED SMALLER, LESS COSTLY HOMES WHILE ALSO CREATING AMENDMENTS THAT REFLECTED THE PUBLIC'S CONCERNS ABOUT GENTRIFICATION, SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER AND TIME ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, I HAVE EARNED THE REPUTATION OF A BRIDGE BUILDER, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM DIFFERENT SIDES TO SOLVE TOUGH, DIVISIVE PROBLEMS. IN THESE VERY POLARIZED TIMES, I'M THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR D SEVEN TO MOVE US FORWARD.
NOW, WHAT ARE MY PRIORITIES? WE MUST ADDRESS OUR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.
THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE AFFECTING CITIES EVERYWHERE.
I BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE MORE HOUSING AND DIFFERENT HOUSING TYPES AND SIZES OF HOUSING SO THAT PEOPLE AT ALL INCOME LEVELS CAN CALL AUSTIN HOME.
I LIKE TO SAY IF YOU WORK HERE, YOU CAN LIVE HERE WITH THE RIGHT POLICIES AND CHANGES TO OUR LAND CODES, WE CAN DO THIS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SLOWING GENTRIFICATION AND ADDRESSING NEIGHBORHOOD FLOODING.
I BELIEVE WITH THE RIGHT DECISIONS WE CAN MAKE OUR UTILITIES MORE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND STILL MEET OUR ZERO CARBON GOALS IN A WAY THAT IS EQUITABLE.
FOR ALL OF AUSTIN, I BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE A FULLY STAFFED, MOTIVATED POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT KEEPS ALL OF US SAFE AND MEETS EXPECTATIONS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING.
WE CAN HAVE A WORLD CLASS RAIL AND BUS SYSTEM WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN RIDERSHIP AND REMOVE POLLUTING CARS FROM OUR ROADS.
I HAVE LIVED IN THIS CITY SINCE 1981 AND SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES.
I HAVE WITNESSED AUSTIN AT ITS BEST WHEN COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER ON ISSUES RESPECTING DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AND CREATING SOLUTIONS BETTER THAN THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
A VOTE FOR TODD SHAW WILL BRING AUSTINITES TOGETHER FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT MY CAMPAIGN AT DOT TODD SHAW AUSTIN.ORG.
HEY THERE, I'M EDWIN BATISTA AND I'M RUNNING TO REPRESENT DISTRICT SEVEN BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT'S TIME FOR GENERATIONAL CHANGE ON THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I'M RUNNING FOR LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICE BECAUSE IT'S TIME FOR LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND TODAY'S CHALLENGES AND BRING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO AUSTIN'S GROWTH.
OUR CITY HAS A HISTORY OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEADING PROGRESSIVE CHANGE FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OF THE 1960S TO TODAY'S MOVEMENTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND RACIAL EQUITY.
I'M READY TO BRING THAT ENERGY TO THE COUNCIL AND REPRESENT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN A CITY THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US.
MY STORY IS DEEPLY PERSONAL AND ROOTED IN THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THIS CITY.
AS THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS, I LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY RESILIENCE AND HARD WORK EARLY ON.
MOVING TO AUSTIN IN 2016 FOR COLLEGE WAS A TURNING POINT IN MY LIFE.
AS A LOW INCOME STUDENT AT UT AUSTIN, I WORKED MULTIPLE JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND FACE THE REALITY OF OUR CITY'S AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.
WHEN I EXPERIENCED HOUSING INSTABILITY MYSELF, MY CAREER HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY COMMITMENT TO CREATING EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES.
I SPENT NEARLY THREE YEARS AT THE LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, TEXAS HOUSERS, WHERE
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I HELPED ADVOCATE FOR STATEWIDE HOUSING JUSTICE.TODAY AS A CERTIFIED URBAN PLANNER, I WORK TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS TEXAS.
IT'S PROBABLY NO SURPRISE THAT MY CAMPAIGN PLATFORM FOCUSES ON HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE REFORM.
IF ELECTED, I WILL ADVOCATE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATE THAT MEETS THE HOUSING NEEDS OF OUR CITY.
I'LL SUPPORT POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE MIXED USE MIXED INCOME DEVELOPMENTS AND PROMOTE INNOVATIVE FINANCING MODELS AS WELL AS NON-MARKET HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO BRING COSTS WITHIN REACH OF AVERAGE AUSTINITES.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES BY IMPLEMENTING STRONGER ANTI DISPLACEMENT MEASURES, ENHANCING TENANT RIGHTS AND PROMOTING THEIR FAIR HOUSING POLICIES FOR TRANSPORTATION.
I SUPPORT BUILDING ON THE RECENTLY ENACTED EQUITABLE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND WILL WORK TO ENSURE PROJECT CONNECT IS COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT OUR CITY HAS A TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT'S ACCESSIBLE, RELIABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT MOVING PLACE TO PLACE, IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING PEOPLE TO OPPORTUNITIES.
ALL WORK TO ENHANCE BUS ROUTES, IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND EXPLORE MICRO MOBILITY OPTIONS SO EVERYONE IN AUSTIN CAN MOVE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS VITAL FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL HAS VIOLATED THE TEXAS OPENS MEETING ACT MULTIPLE TIMES RECENTLY AND HAS SHOWN A TROUBLING DISREGARD FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES MORE THAN TWO MINUTE SOUNDBITES.
THAT'S WHY I PROPOSE CONSOLIDATING THE CITY'S TWO EXISTING COMMUNICATION OFFICES INTO THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
THIS NEW DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE MULTILINGUAL RESOURCES, USED DIGITAL TOOLS FOR BROADER OUTREACH AND WORK WITH COMMUNITY PRACTITIONERS TO ENSURE ENGAGEMENT REFLECTS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
INNOVATIVE GOVERNANCE REFORM IS ESSENTIAL FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE.
I'LL ADVOCATE FOR A STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM THAT GIVES THE MAYOR DIRECT OVERSIGHT OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION AND REPLACES OUR OUTDATED COUNCIL MANAGER FORMER GOVERNMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, I PROPOSE RESTRUCTURING THE CITY COUNCIL TO INCLUDE BOTH DISTRICT AND AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVES BY CONSOLIDATING THE CURRENT 10 DISTRICTS INTO FIVE.
THIS DUAL REPRESENTATION MODEL WILL ENHANCE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND PROMOTE MORE BALANCED DECISION MAKING TO PREVENT THE OVER DECENTRALIZATION OF POWER.
ALL CHAMPION ROBUST OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS FOR THE COUNCIL AND WILL WORK TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN EVERY DECISION.
I BELIEVE AUSTIN IS A PLACE OF POSSIBILITY, A CITY WHERE EVERY CORNER HOLDS A STORY OF RESILIENCE, CREATIVITY, AND COMMUNITY.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH ITS LIVE MUSIC, DEEP ROOTED HISTORY AND SKYLINE THAT REFLECTS BOTH OUR STRUGGLES AND HOPES.
URBAN PLANNING ISN'T JUST MY CAREER.
IT'S A PASSION SHAPED BY MY EXPERIENCES IN THE CITY AS A STUDENT COMMUTER, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, HOMEOWNER, AND NOW YOUNG PROFESSIONAL.
MY VISION FOR AUSTIN IS ONE WHERE WE DON'T JUST BUILD HOMES, WE BUILD COMMUNITIES WHERE WE DON'T JUST EXPAND ROADS, WE CREATE PATHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY AND WHERE WE DON'T JUST INVITE PEOPLE TO THE TABLE, WE EMPOWER EVERY RESIDENT TO HAVE A SAY IN SHAPING OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE.
I ENVISION IN AUSTIN WHERE PROGRESS IS SHAPED BY EVERY VOICE, EVERY STORY, AND EVERY PERSON WHO CAUSES CITY HOME.
THIS IS OUR CITY AND TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A FUTURE THAT REFLECTS THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ASPIRE TO BE.
LET'S CREATE AN AWESOME THAT THRIVES ON ITS DIVERSITY, CELEBRATES ITS HISTORY, AND MOVES FORWARD WITH COURAGE AND CONVICTION.
I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO EMPOWER PROGRESS AND FUEL AUSTIN'S FUTURE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS MIKE SIEGEL AND I'M A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL TO PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS TO ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO TAKE STRONG ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND TO STAND UP TO THE TEXAS REPUBLICAN PARTY TO DEFEND AUSTIN VALUES.
I BRING 25 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE TO THIS WORK.
I STARTED MY CAREER IN 1999 AND HOUSTON, TEXAS AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, AND I WORKED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR SEVEN YEARS, UH, TEACHING THIRD GRADE, FIFTH GRADE AND EIGHTH GRADE, AND ALSO BEING ACTIVE IN MY TEACHER'S UNION.
FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, I'VE BEEN A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, INCLUDING FOUR YEARS HERE AT AUSTIN CITY HALL WHERE I WAS AN AUSTIN CITY ATTORNEY AND I WROTE POLICY FOR THE CITY.
I ADVISED THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL AND WENT TO COURT TO REALLY PROTECT OUR AUSTIN POLICIES.
UM, IN MY CAMPAIGN, I'M EMPHASIZING CLIMATE ACTION AS A MAJOR THEME.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH HEAT WAVES AND FREEZES AND WE CERTAINLY MUST PREPARE FOR EXTREME WEATHER IN THE YEARS TO COME, BUT I ALSO SEE THIS AS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTIN OWNS PART OF A COAL PLANT OUT IN FAYETTE COUNTY, AND IF WE CAN CLOSE THIS PLANT, WE WILL REDUCE OUR CITY EMISSIONS BY 75% OR MORE.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE GOOD GREEN JOBS THAT ARE UNION JOBS, GOOD PAYING JOBS TO, FOR EXAMPLE, CLEAN UP THE POLLUTION AT THAT SITE AND CREATE RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION FACILITIES THAT CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RAIL LINES AND ELECTRIC LINES THAT ARE AT THAT SAME PLACE.
I ALSO SEE CLIMATE ACTION AS A WAY TO ADDRESS A HOST OF PROBLEMS THAT ARE FACING OUR CITY, WHETHER THAT'S PREPARING FOR WATER SHORTAGES IN THE YEARS TO COME,
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WHETHER THAT'S ADDRESSING FOOD SCARCITY IN SOME PARTS OF TOWN WHERE WE COULD CREATE CITY CONTROLLED, CITY OWNED FOOD FARMS THAT ARE STAFFED BY CITY WORKERS AND COULD PRODUCE FOOD FOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE AT RISK.IN GENERAL, THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS OUR CITY CAN PREPARE FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT BIG PICTURE.
IN MY CAREER, I'VE BUILT COALITIONS AND ALL THE WORK I'VE DONE.
WHEN I WAS A A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, I WAS ACTIVE IN THE TEACHER'S UNION AND HELPED FIGHT TO PROTECT PUBLIC EDUCATION AS A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN FIGHTS, WHETHER IT'S TO GET MASKS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC AND AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHETHER THAT'S STANDING UP TO KEN PAXTON.
UH, WHEN I WAS A CITY ATTORNEY, I HELPED SUE KEN PAXTON, UH, SEVERAL TIMES.
IN FACT, I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT, THAT UH, FOR A COUPLE YEARS MY JOB WAS TO GO TO CITY HALL SUE, GOVERNOR ABBOTT AND PAXTON AND GO HOME.
BUT IN PARTICULAR, IN 2017, OUR CITY STOOD UP TO FIGHT SENATE BILL FOUR, WHICH WAS THIS HATEFUL ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW.
AND I SAW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS WHEN OUR CITY STANDS UP FOR OUR VALUES.
WE WERE THE FIRST TO SUE THE STATE TO STOP THIS LAW, BUT THEN ALL THE BIG CITIES IN TEXAS JOINED US, ALSO SMALL TOWNS AND COUNTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, AND WE MADE ARGUMENTS IN COURT TO SHOW HOW FOR THE GOOD OF THE CITY, THE GOOD OF THE STATE.
WE NEED TO CARE FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND NOT DEMONIZE THEM.
UH, BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL WORK I'VE DONE, I'VE EARNED A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM MAJOR COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THIS CAMPAIGN.
FOR EXAMPLE, I'M ENDORSED BY THE CITY WORKERS UNION.
I'M ENDORSED BY CONGRESSMAN GREG CASAD, OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOSE GARZA, MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD, AND THOSE FOLKS ARE SUPPORTING ME BECAUSE OF MY TRACK RECORD OF HARD WORK AND EXPERIENCE.
I THINK I DISTINGUISHED MYSELF IN THIS CAMPAIGN BASED ON MY ENERGY, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.
I'LL BE READY TO GO DAY ONE TO ORGANIZE OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY, TO BUILD COALITIONS, TO CONFRONT THE CRISES OUR CITIES FACING, BUT ALSO TO WORK INSIDE CITY HALL TO WIN VOTES AND PASS EFFECTIVE POLICY.
I'M A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT SEVEN, AND I'D BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR VOTE.
HEY Y'ALL, MY NAME'S ADAM POWELL AND I'M RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL IN NORTH AUSTIN'S BEAUTIFUL DISTRICT SEVEN.
THE REASON I'M RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE IS REALLY PERSONAL.
I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO WAS BORN HERE IN AUSTIN, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF GROWING UP HERE IN AUSTIN.
I WAS RAISED IN LEANDER BECAUSE MY PARENTS WHO WERE LIFELONG EDUCATORS FOUND THAT THAT WAS THE ONLY PLACE THEY COULD AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE AND RAISE ME AND MY SIBLINGS.
SO WHEN I LOOK AT OUR ABSOLUTE CRISIS OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, I LOOK AT THE FACT THAT I WAS ABLE TO COME BACK TO AUSTIN PROPER IN MY ADULTHOOD, BUT SO MANY PEOPLE THAT I GREW UP WITH HAVE BEEN FORCED OUTTA THE CITY ENTIRELY.
I WAS STIRRED TO RUN TO REVERSE THAT TREND.
I'M ALSO REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY, ESPECIALLY PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
MY DAD, WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED UP TO LEANDER, WOULD WALK OVER A MILE DOWN A ROAD, A ROAD THAT DID NOT HAVE A SIDEWALK AT THE TIME TO HOP ON A CAT METRO BUS TO GO DOWNTOWN AND FINISH HIS JOB AT THE TIME, AT A TIME WHEN IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR MY FAMILY TO AFFORD A CAR AND AFFORD THE GAS THAT WENT INTO IT.
THAT WAS A COMPLETE FINANCIAL LIFELINE FOR US AND SOMETHING THAT I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN.
I ALSO PASSIONATELY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GREATLY IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM OF SIDEWALKS, BIKE LANES, AND REALLY GO STEP BY STEP ON REDUCING OUR CAR DEPENDENCY HERE IN AUSTIN.
AND THEN FINALLY, I'M REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT FIXING AUSTIN ENERGY IN LIGHT OF THE WINTER STORMS, THE HEAT WAVES, THE RECENT POWER OUTAGES WE'VE EXPERIENCED.
I ACTUALLY RELEASED A FULL POLICY PROPOSAL THAT YOU CAN SEE RIGHT NOW ON MY WEBSITE, ADAM FROST.COM.
AND AGAIN, IT GOES TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES.
WHEN I LOOK AT MY TIME AS VICE PRESIDENT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION UP IN NORTH SHOAL CREEK, I REMEMBER AFTER THE 2021 WINTER STORM WE HAD A COMMUNITY DEBRIEF AND HEARING STORIES FROM A COUPLE IN THEIR EIGHTIES THAT HAD THEIR POWER OUT FOR SIX, SEVEN DAYS COOKING MEALS OVER THEIR FIREPLACE TO SURVIVE THE WINTER WEATHER IN AUSTIN, TEXAS IN 2021.
I KNOW WE CAN WEATHER THE NEXT STORM WITH THE LIGHTS ON AND FUTURE-PROOF OUR LOCAL GRID, STRENGTHEN IT THE WAY THAT WE NEED TO.
SO I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS NOVEMBER 5TH.
AGAIN, GO TO ADAM AUSTIN.COM AND LEARN MORE.
AUSTIN IS FACING IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES AND WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT'S READY TO ACT ON DAY ONE.
I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT MY DISTRICT THAT I'VE LIVED IN FOR 24 YEARS AND MY CITY.
THIS RACE IS ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE AND HOW TO BEST KEEP AUSTIN A SPECIAL PLACE TO LIVE.
I'M RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL IN DISTRICT 10.
I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
I SPENT OVER 20 YEARS IN DEMOCRATIC POLITICS, ADVOCACY TECHNOLOGY, AND EIGHT YEARS RUNNING A BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME, I'VE GOT ANOTHER DECADE OF EXPERIENCE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY ON VARIOUS BOARDS.
THERE IS NO TIME FOR A LEARNING CURVE.
OUR CHALLENGES ARE TOO BIG AND THEY'RE TOO IMMEDIATE.
I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH CITY ISSUES FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS EVER SINCE I HELPED ELECT FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER BETTY DUNKER LEE BACK IN 2005.
SO I'VE WATCHED AUSTIN GRAPPLE WITH HOUSING DENSITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AFFORDABILITY, TRANSIT, AND OTHER CHALLENGES.
I'VE ALSO BEEN ADDRESSING MANY CITY ISSUES ON MY HOA BOARD, WHICH I VOLUNTEERED
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AND SERVED ON FOR A DECADE AND I'M CURRENTLY THE PRESIDENT OF.WE SERVE ROUGHLY 200 HOMEOWNERS, 300 RESIDENTS MANAGE A 17 BUILDING, ALMOST 40-YEAR-OLD PROPERTY AND THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.
AND WE DO THIS BY DIGGING INTO BUDGETS, WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING ASSETS, AND ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
ONE OF THE CENTRAL LESSONS I'VE LEARNED IS THAT IF WE TAKE CARE OF OUR BUILDINGS AND EXTEND THEIR LIFE, WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR MY COMMUNITY.
BUT IF WE EVER HAVE TO SCRAPE THAT PROPERTY AND REBUILD IT AS MARKET RATE HOUSING MYSELF, MY ENTIRE COMMUNITY, WE'D BE PRICED OUT OF AUSTIN.
I'VE ALSO SERVED ON THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, THE UMBRELLA GROUP THAT PROVIDES A VOICE FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND RESIDENTS ACROSS AUSTIN AND HERE AT CITY HALL.
I'VE BEEN ON THEIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND I'M CURRENTLY THEIR VICE PRESIDENT.
I'VE WORKED ON PUBLIC SAFETY, HOMELESSNESS, TRANSIT, AND OTHER POLICIES.
I'VE SPOKEN AT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
I'VE TESTIFIED TO THE LEGISLATURE.
I'VE ALREADY BEEN FIGHTING FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
LAND USE AND ZONING HAS BEEN A KEY ISSUE FOR US OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, AND I BELIEVE THE HOME ORDINANCE, WHICH UP ZONES IN DENSIFIES, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS MAY HAVE STARTED OUT WELL-INTENTIONED BUT HAS ZERO GUARDRAILS.
OUR HOMES ARE ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE INVESTMENTS WE HAVE, WHETHER YOU'RE AGING IN PLACE OR RAISING A FAMILY.
AND THE HOME ORDINANCE REPRESENTS GREATER SETBACKS, MORE FLORIDA AIR RATIOS AND MORE IMPERVIOUS COVER.
WE NEED MORE GREEN SPACES AND TREES, NOT LESS.
WE'VE BEEN DENSIFYING AUSTIN FOR DECADES AND YET HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CONTINUES TO ELUDE US.
IT'S TIME TO TRY SOME DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
WE CAN REFORM HOW WE ENFORCE SHORT-TERM RENTALS, WHICH BRING BOTH OPERATORS INTO COMPLIANCE AND PAY TAXES, AS WELL AS LIMIT OUT-OF-STATE OPERATORS WHO CARE A LITTLE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY WHILE TURNING RENTAL UNITS INTO HOMES.
WE CAN STREAMLINE PERMITTING AND INSPECTIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUILDERS AND ARCHITECTS.
WE'RE IS GONNA BRING DOWN THE COST AND TIME TO BRING HOMES TO MARKET.
WE CAN ALSO EXPLORE INCENTIVIZING FAMILIES TO BUY SINGLE FAMILY HOMES OVER THE INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND HEDGE FUNDS.
THAT WAY OUR LOCAL FAMILIES CAN OWN HOMES HERE IN AUSTIN, NOT WALL STREET.
WE JUST NEED THE LEADERSHIP TO PURSUE THEM.
THIS RACE IS ABOUT STANDING UP FOR THE DISTRICT AND CITY AND PEOPLE AND PRIORITIES.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE OUTSIDE GROUPS AND THE SPECIAL INTERESTS.
I'M PROUD TO BE THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHERE THE MAJORITY OF MY MONEY AND ENDORSEMENTS ARE FROM DISTRICT 10.
AND IT'S ALSO ABOUT CONTINUING THE WORK OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBER, PROTECTING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, PROTECTING OUR PARKS AND WILDFIRE PREVENTION.
THOSE ARE NOT JUST DISTRICT 10 ISSUES, THEY'RE AUSTIN ISSUES.
IT'S ALSO ABOUT STANDING UP FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT.
I'M ENDORSED BY THE SIERRA CLUB, THE AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS AND OTHERS.
WE NEED MORE PARKLAND AND GREEN SPACE IN AUSTIN AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB MAINTAINING WHAT WE'VE GOT.
LAST YEAR, THE STATE LEGISLATOR TOOK AWAY MOST OF OUR ABILITY TO FUND NEW PARKLAND ACQUISITION.
WE NEED BONDS, WE NEED OTHER MECHANISMS TO ENSURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO ADD PARKLAND, ESPECIALLY AS AUSTIN GROWS.
FINALLY, IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'VE GOT SOMEONE WITH A HISTORY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP THAT CAN REPRESENT AND SUPPORT THIS DISTRICT.
IT'S ABOUT DOING THE HARD WORK, DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS, IMPROVING ON WHAT DOES WORK AND FIXING WHAT DOESN'T.
IT'S ABOUT BEING OPEN TO EXPLORING WHAT HAS WORKED FOR OTHER CITIES AND AVOIDING WHAT IS NOT.
I'VE SPENT MY CAREER AS A PROBLEM SOLVER IN POLITICS, TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS, AND ALSO IN THE CIVIC SPACE.
I BELIEVE AUSTIN DESERVES A LEADER WHO'S PREPARED TO ACT IMMEDIATELY, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS OUR COMMUNITY AND IS READY TO DELIVER ON SOLUTIONS.
I'M READY TO SERVE DISTRICT 10.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP AUSTIN A CITY WHERE WE CAN ALL THRIVE IN.
HI, MY NAME IS ASHIKA GANGLY AND I'M RUNNING FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 IN WEST AUSTIN.
MY PARENTS IMMIGRATED TO AUSTIN AS PART OF THE GROWING TECH SECTOR IN THE EIGHTIES AND NINETIES.
AND BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THIS CITY PROVIDED A YOUNG FAMILY JUST STARTING OUT THEIR LIVES, I STARTED MY CAREER HERE IN AUSTIN AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER.
I TAUGHT FIFTH GRADE IN DOWNTOWN AUSTIN AT MATTHEWS ELEMENTARY FOR FIVE YEARS.
I LOVED MY JOB AND I LOVED MY STUDENTS, BUT EVERY DAY I SAW SO MANY ISSUES, BOTH LOCAL AND STATE PLAYING OUT IN MY FAMILY'S LIVES AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
WHETHER IT WAS ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, ACCESS TO TRANSIT, AFFORDABILITY, OR PUBLIC SAFETY, I GOT A CLEAR PICTURE OF HOW POLICY TRULY DOES SHAPE OUR STUDENTS' LIVES, THEIR FAMILIES' LIVES, AND THE STABILITY AND SUCCESS OF OUR CITY.
I WAS MOTIVATED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME REAL CHANGE FOR THOSE FAMILIES AND FOR MY COMMUNITY.
I LEFT THE CLASSROOM AFTER YEAR FIVE TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN PUBLIC POLICY.
I GOT MY MASTER'S IN POLICY AT UT AND I STARTED WORKING IN CHILDCARE POLICY IN THE WASHINGTON DC.
I ALSO SPENT SOME TIME AS A PROGRAM COORDINATOR IN THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
AND MOST RECENTLY I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING AS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BUSEY AT THE TEXAS HOUSE.
THROUGHOUT MY TWO YEARS WORKING AT THE LEGISLATURE, I'VE SEEN CONTINUED EFFORTS FROM OUR STATE LEADERS TO PREEMPT
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OUR ABILITY TO LOCALLY GOVERN.HERE IN AUSTIN, I'VE ALSO LEARNED WHAT IT MEANS TO CRAFT TRULY MEANINGFUL POLICY TO WORK WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO DELIVER REAL RESULTS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.
I AM SO PROUD TO BE STEPPING UP NOW TO SERVE MY OWN COMMUNITY, AND I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER WE HAVE STRONG LOCAL LEADERS WILLING TO STEP UP FOR AUSTIN.
I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED IN THIS JOURNEY BY STATE LEADERS SUCH AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BEY, JAMES TELECO, AND CHERYL COLE, AS WELL AS SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR CURRENT CITY COUNCIL, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER ANN KITCHEN AND MIKE MARTINEZ.
UH, FORMER LAND COMMISSIONER GARY MORROW AND THE AUSTIN CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE AUSTIN EMS ASSOCIATION.
I'M FOCUSING IN THIS CAMPAIGN ON REAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT REAL PEOPLE.
DISTRICT 10 IS A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE.
IT'S A PLACE THAT IS FULL OF SOME OF THE MOST SCENIC AREAS OF AUSTIN, UM, SOME REALLY ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAND, AND IT'S HOME TO A LOT OF LONGTIME AUSTIN RESIDENTS.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO GROW RESPONSIBLY AS A CITY WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE WE PROTECT ALL OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE DISTRICT 10 AND AUSTIN SPECIAL.
THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO MANAGE GROWTH WHILE PROTECTING OUR CITY'S IDENTITY.
I HAVE SPENT ALL OF MY ADULT LIFE WORKING TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY, WHETHER THAT WAS THROUGH THE CLASSROOM, THROUGH UH, EDUCATION, OR THROUGH GOVERNMENT, AND I'M SO READY TO DO THE SAME FOR AUSTIN AS YOUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I WILL BE A BRIDGE BUILDER BETWEEN AUSTIN OF THE PAST AND AUSTIN OF THE FUTURE.
I WILL BE A BRIDGE BUILDER BETWEEN NEIGHBORS ACROSS PARTISAN LINES, AND I'LL BE THE BRIDGE BUILDER NEEDED AT CITY HALL.
I WANT TO KEEP AUSTIN AUSTIN WHILE MAKING SURE THAT THIS CITY REMAINS LIVABLE FOR ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE.
I AM THINKING ABOUT ISSUES AROUND AFFORDABILITY, AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, AROUND WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS, TRANSIT TRAFFIC, AND MANY MORE.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ME AND MY JOURNEY AND MY MISSION FORAUSTIN@ASCAFORAUSTIN.COM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I HOPE TO COUNT ON YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT IN NOVEMBER.