- District 7 Council Member, Leslie Pool, inaugurated and draws 2 year term. January 6, 2015 - Austin City Council – Newly sworn in Districts 2, 4, 6, 7 & 10 drew two year terms and 1, 3, 5, 8 & 9 drew 4 year terms.
- Cliff’s Notes on the KLRU Boyt vs Pool Interview November 20, 2014 - Below is a short-hand account of the KLRU District 7 City Council interview with run-off candidates Jeb Boyt and Leslie Pool, conducted by KUT’s Jennifer Stayton. The interview will be broadcast Thursday at 8 PM, and can be seen online at this link: http://www.klru.org/schedule/episode/262496/ Most of the responses won’t be new to people who have followed the election. … Continue reading Cliff’s Notes on the KLRU Boyt vs Pool Interview →
- Op-ed: Melissa Zone – Endorsed by Neighborhoods October 24, 2014 - Editor’s note. AustinDistrict7.org’s editorial board, consisting of neighborhood leaders from throughout the new District 7, met at the start of October to discuss a candidate endorsement, but decided not to endorse. Instead, the site has offered each candidate the opportunity to submit an endorsement by local supporters. Here is one from Austin District 7 Board … Continue reading Op-ed: Melissa Zone – Endorsed by Neighborhoods →
- Op-ed: Ed English – When Experience Meets Leadership October 24, 2014 - Editor’s note. AustinDistrict7.org’s editorial board, consisting of neighborhood leaders from throughout the new District 7, met at the start of October to discuss a candidate endorsement, but decided not to endorse. Instead, the site has offered each candidate the opportunity to submit an endorsement by local supporters. The following endorsement was submitted by Richard Baccus from Walnut … Continue reading Op-ed: Ed English – When Experience Meets Leadership →
- Op-ed: We need Jimmy Paver October 21, 2014 - Editor’s note. AustinDistrict7.org’s editorial board, consisting of neighborhood leaders from throughout the new District 7, met at the start of October to discuss a candidate endorsement, but decided not to endorse. Instead, the site has offered each candidate the opportunity to submit an endorsement by local supporters. In this piece, District 7 resident and recent parent … Continue reading Op-ed: We need Jimmy Paver →
- Op-ed: Leslie Pool – An Experienced Austin Voice for District 7 October 20, 2014 - Editor’s note. AustinDistrict7.org’s editorial board, consisting of neighborhood leaders from throughout the new District 7, met at the start of October to discuss a candidate endorsement, but decided not to endorse. Instead, the site has offered each candidate the opportunity to submit an endorsement by local supporters. Here is one from Allandale residents Giselle and … Continue reading Op-ed: Leslie Pool – An Experienced Austin Voice for District 7 →
- Local Planner Opposes Austin Oaks PUD off Mopac September 28, 2014 - Dear Reader, Our group, ‘No PUD, Not Now, Not Ever,’ has been organized to protect the NorthWest Austin community and schools by stopping PUD re-zoning and encourage responsible commercial development within conventional zoning standards. We collaborate with others to preserve the unique enclave of Austin’s Northwest Hills neighborhood and surrounding community. Contact information on our group … Continue reading Local Planner Opposes Austin Oaks PUD off Mopac →
- District 7 Forum Exposes Contradictions on Burnet Rd Planning September 28, 2014 - All eight candidates running for Austin’s Council District 7 seat pledged to respect existing neighborhood plans during upcoming planning of the Burnet and Anderson transit corridors, at a forum for the lower half of the district held on Friday. Much of the forum was spent discussing aspects of the process, which revealed at least one jaw-dropping … Continue reading District 7 Forum Exposes Contradictions on Burnet Rd Planning →
- English Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget September 21, 2014 - This is the last of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Ed English on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading English Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget →
- English Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure September 18, 2014 - This is the third of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Ed English on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading English Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure →
- Zone Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget September 17, 2014 - This is the last of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Melissa Zone on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Zone Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget →
- Pool Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget September 17, 2014 - This is the last of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Leslie Pool on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Pool Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget →
- Boyt Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget September 16, 2014 - This is the last of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jeb Boyt on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Boyt Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget →
- Paver Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget September 15, 2014 - This is the last of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jimmy Paver on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Paver Interview – Details on Public Safety, Small Business, and City Budget →
- Paver Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure September 14, 2014 - This is the third of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jimmy Paver on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Paver Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure →
- District 7 Agenda Crystallizes as Candidates Refine Policies September 14, 2014 - District 7 City Council candidates at back to back forums last week fine-tuned their messages, influenced both by voters and by each other. The result is an emerging consensus on several issues: a homestead exemption, more affordable and family-friendly housing, and diversity in transportation solutions. Conversely, most candidates are lukewarm on this November’s urban rail … Continue reading District 7 Agenda Crystallizes as Candidates Refine Policies →
- Boyt Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure September 9, 2014 - This is the third of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jeb Boyt on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Boyt Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure →
- Zone Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure September 8, 2014 - This is the third of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Melissa Zone on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Zone Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure →
- Pool Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure September 7, 2014 - This is the third of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Leslie Pool on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Pool Interview – Details on Transportation, Open Space, Infrastructure →
- Paver Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability September 6, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jimmy Paver on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Paver Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability →
- Boyt Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability September 5, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jeb Boyt on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Boyt Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability →
- Pool Campaign Kick-off Emphasizes “Progressive” Agenda, Tax Reform September 1, 2014 - Leslie Pool kicked off her campaign this last Tuesday, calling herself a progressive, community-serving leader who would prioritize affordability and property tax reform, quality of life, the environment, and women’s healthcare choices. About 70 people came out to the event, held at The Frisco on Burnet Rd. Prominent backers Laura Morrison and Brigid Shea introduced … Continue reading Pool Campaign Kick-off Emphasizes “Progressive” Agenda, Tax Reform →
- Pool Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability September 1, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Leslie Pool on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Pool Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability →
- Salazar Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability August 27, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Pete Salazar on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Salazar Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability →
- Zone Interview – Details on Keeping Livable, Affordable Neighborhoods August 24, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Melissa Zone on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Zone Interview – Details on Keeping Livable, Affordable Neighborhoods →
- Steakhouse Owner, Libertarian on D7 Ballot As Filing Deadline Passes August 23, 2014 - Monday, August 18, marked the filing deadline for candidates to appear on the City Council ballot. The final, official list is at the City of Austin website: http://austintexas.gov/cityclerk/elections/ballotapplications2014.html The D7 list has some surprises. Josiah Ingalls, who had previously announced for the District 7 race and committed some funding, is not on the ballot. Conversely, two … Continue reading Steakhouse Owner, Libertarian on D7 Ballot As Filing Deadline Passes →
- English Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability August 22, 2014 - This is the second of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Ed English on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading English Interview – Details on Preserving Affordability, Livability →
- Candidate Positions and the Burnet Corridor Plan August 20, 2014 - The City recently began work on a land use plan for Burnet Rd and Anderson Ln. Growth is already happening – over 250 acres along the corridors were previously zoned for new housing, representing long-term capacity for 15,000- 20,000 future residents. The planning process may lead to changes in this capacity, in the type of … Continue reading Candidate Positions and the Burnet Corridor Plan →
- Pool Interview – Consensus-Building was Key to Success at the Lege, City Council July 31, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Leslie Pool on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Pool Interview – Consensus-Building was Key to Success at the Lege, City Council →
- Where District 7 Candidates Are Getting Their Money July 28, 2014 - Second quarter campaign financing results confirm huge spending advantages for District 7 council candidates Jeb Boyt ($20,339) and Jimmy Paver ($18,582), followed by Melissa Zone ($6,634) and other candidates. Details of the funding results, including contributions by geography, were covered last week: https://austindistrict7.org/boyt-paver-claim-fund-raising-lead-in-d7-race/ In this article we look in more detail at the contributors. Jeb … Continue reading Where District 7 Candidates Are Getting Their Money →
- Chronicle – District 7 Shares Issues with West Austin July 26, 2014 - Austin and the 7-10 Split Candidates in west and west-central districts find common cause By Richard Whittaker 9:30AM, Tue. Jul. 22 When people first started talking about shifting Austin to single-member City Council districts, the logic was simple. You add more geographic representation, more diversity of opinion, and a more accurate reflection of the city’s … Continue reading Chronicle – District 7 Shares Issues with West Austin →
- Pool Announces Candidacy, Laura Morrison Endorsement July 17, 2014 - From Leslie Pool, candidate for City Council, District 7 Dear Friends, I am pleased to announce that I am running for Council District 7 on the Austin City Council. We need a strong voice to protect our neighborhoods, our environment and our quality of life. Key elements of the kind of city where we want … Continue reading Pool Announces Candidacy, Laura Morrison Endorsement →
- Boyt, Paver Claim Fund-Raising Lead in D7 Race July 16, 2014 - District 7 Council candidates Jeb Boyt and Jimmy Paver easily overpowered their competitors in second quarter fund-raising, tapping into citywide and even national networks to raise tens of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, Melissa Zone demonstrated on-the-ground strength, with the most number of contributors within the district. Total contributions for the period April 1 to June … Continue reading Boyt, Paver Claim Fund-Raising Lead in D7 Race →
- Zone Interview – Neighborhoods Need a Planner on Their Side July 14, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Melissa Zone on her candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Zone Interview – Neighborhoods Need a Planner on Their Side →
- Leslie Pool Enters District 7 Council Race July 14, 2014 - Leslie Pool is expected to announce her candidacy for the District 7 City Council seat in the coming week. Pool, a resident of Rosedale, is a long-time Austinite who has served on several City of Austin boards and commissions. She is backed by current Travis County Precinct 2 commissioner candidate Brigid Shea, and purportedly by City … Continue reading Leslie Pool Enters District 7 Council Race →
- Salazar Interview – I’m Going to Build Those Coalitions July 13, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Pete Salazar on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Salazar Interview – I’m Going to Build Those Coalitions →
- Paver Interview: Wring Value One Line Item at a Time July 10, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jimmy Paver on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Paver Interview: Wring Value One Line Item at a Time →
- Ingalls Interview – Let’s Take Guesswork out of Laws July 8, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Josiah Ingalls on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Ingalls Interview – Let’s Take Guesswork out of Laws →
- English Interview – District 7 needs an Honest, Skilled Negotiator July 6, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Ed English on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading English Interview – District 7 needs an Honest, Skilled Negotiator →
- Boyt Interview – I Bring the Most Expertise on Transportation July 4, 2014 - This is the first of four interviews with City Council District 7 candidate Jeb Boyt on his candidacy and the issues identified in the AustinDistrict7.org candidate scorecard. The interviews are organized as follows: * Top Priorities, Experience, Community Involvement * Livability, Affordability and Housing * Transportation, Open Space and Infrastructure * Public Safety, Small Business, … Continue reading Boyt Interview – I Bring the Most Expertise on Transportation →
- Chronicle: Deliver Us From Traffic July 3, 2014 - by Robyn Ross The Austin Chronicle Say you’re broke. Say you had an emergency root canal and your bank account balance has sunk dangerously low. You have a couple of choices. Either you make more money: Take on a second shift? Pawn your watch? Or you make your existing income go further, by cutting spending. … Continue reading Chronicle: Deliver Us From Traffic →
- Introducing our Editorial Board July 3, 2014 - Dear Reader, This first 10-1 city council election is the largest in Austin’s history, and probably in our lifetime. After this first ‘big bang’ election, half the districts will have their next election in two years, and half in four years. Also, most districts will have incumbents, a fact that will limit viable opponents. It is … Continue reading Introducing our Editorial Board →
- Ingalls, a Refugee of East Riverside, Raises Concerns Over Burnet Corridor Plan June 25, 2014 - by Tom Linehan Josiah Ingalls kicked off his campaign for the District 7 city council seat on Saturday June 14, warning against the City’s planning strategy for Burnet Rd and similar commercial streets. He also expressed opposition to rail until the City pays down more of its current debt. Ingalls lives in the Wooten neighborhood. … Continue reading Ingalls, a Refugee of East Riverside, Raises Concerns Over Burnet Corridor Plan →
- Council Approves Burnet-Anderson Corridor Plan. Now What? June 13, 2014 - By Steven Zettner, editor City Council on Thursday approved a resolution directing planning staff to proceed with land use planning of the Burnet Rd corridor from 45th to 183, and of Anderson Ln from Mopac to the CapMetro Red Line track. The vote was 7-0, in support of a substitute version from Council Member Laura … Continue reading Council Approves Burnet-Anderson Corridor Plan. Now What? →
- Zone Would Use Planning Experience to Champion Neighborhoods June 10, 2014 - By Tom Linehan Melissa Zone at her District 7 City Council kickoff last Sunday positioned herself as a tough urban planner who would champion neighborhoods, while addressing challenges like affordability, transportation, safety and the environment. “If we’ve ever needed an experienced urban planner on City Council, it is now!” Zone told a gathering of 30 … Continue reading Zone Would Use Planning Experience to Champion Neighborhoods →
- Ingalls: Seniors Should Be Able to Stay in their Homes June 7, 2014 - Josiah Ingalls Campaign Platform Announcement and Bio As a City Council candidate who has spoken extensively with residents throughout District 7, Josiah Ingalls is focusing on several issues that are important to District 7 voters and to Austin residents in general. They include: Housing affordability. It’s crucial to preserve the ability of longtime residents to stay … Continue reading Ingalls: Seniors Should Be Able to Stay in their Homes →
- Help with AustinDistrict7.org Yard Signs June 7, 2014 - Dear District 7 voter, To raise awareness of our volunteer news service, we will be placing yard signs around the district that say ‘I Vote in District 7 – AustinDistrict7.org’. It’s a relatively cheap and democratic way to raise awareness of the election and of the information available on our site. But even a cheap … Continue reading Help with AustinDistrict7.org Yard Signs →
- District 7 Campaign Events in June June 6, 2014 - The following District 7 campaign events are scheduled in June: Melissa Zone Campaign Kickoff Big Daddy Burger Bar 9070 Research Sunday June 8 2:00 to 4:00 PM Ed English Meet and Greet Pok-e-Jo’s 2121 W. Parmer Lane Austin, TX 78727 June 12, 6:00-7:30 PM Location phone – 512-491-0434 Ed English Meet and Greet Waterloo Ice House 8600 … Continue reading District 7 Campaign Events in June →
- What Our Next Council Member Should Know About Wind and Solar June 4, 2014 - by David Dixon The typical Austin household pays about $1,260 a year on their electric bill. Single-family residents typically pay even more. That’s a significant chunk of the cost of living in Austin. A common question from rate payers is about renewable energy – will adding wind or solar sources increase my bill? Maybe even two years ago, … Continue reading What Our Next Council Member Should Know About Wind and Solar →
- Paver Would Leverage Federal, State Ties to Fix Transportation May 24, 2014 - City Council candidate Jimmy Paver played federal and state cards at his campaign kickoff event on Saturday afternoon, promising to leverage his knowledge from many years serving as an aide to Lloyd Doggett and Mark Strama to fix Austin’s transportation problems. Paver also said he would use his public policy acumen to wring more services … Continue reading Paver Would Leverage Federal, State Ties to Fix Transportation →
- Boyt Trumpets Experience, Commits to New Housing, Rail, Parks May 22, 2014 - District 7 Council candidate Jeb Boyt at his campaign kick-off Tuesday rallied supporters behind policies to address the city’s long-term affordability and transportation challenges. He also stressed his extensive record in city and state government, especially in support of parks, trails, and Downtown Austin. About 50-60 people attended the event at Pour House Pub on … Continue reading Boyt Trumpets Experience, Commits to New Housing, Rail, Parks →
- Statesman: Growth, Traffic Encroaching on Neighborhoods in District 7 May 12, 2014 - Here’s Sarah Coppola’s Statesman profile of City Council District 7. It’s behind a paywall. http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/growth-traffic-encroaching-on-neighborhoods-in-aus/nftFn/
- Zandan Poll Finds Young Austinites Happy, Older Austinites Less So May 12, 2014 - Local pollster Peter Zandan has released a poll, ‘Voices of the Austin Community,’ that captures the thinking of 804 Austin adults about their city. A snapshot of the poll results is at http://zandanpoll.com/zandan-poll-event-information/ Highlights: 80% of respondents cite traffic as the city’s top concern 65% say they are unlikely to move from Austin; 77% agree … Continue reading Zandan Poll Finds Young Austinites Happy, Older Austinites Less So →
- Melissa Zone to Run in District 7, Prioritizes Quality of Life, Affordability May 11, 2014 - By Melissa Zone Candidate for City Council District 7 My name is Melissa Zone, I am a resident of Crestview and I am running for the District 7 City Council seat because I want to: Preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods and our quality of life Fight for affordability for all of us in … Continue reading Melissa Zone to Run in District 7, Prioritizes Quality of Life, Affordability →
- Salazar to Champion Working Class Austin May 10, 2014 - Pete Salazar Jr. kicked off his District 7 City Council campaign Saturday with an increasingly out-of-fashion vision of Austin as a place of hope for working people. The venue was also old-fashioned – a BBQ picnic at the Northwest Park playground, attended by about 45 people. The crowd was multi-ethnic, with Hispanics, whites and blacks. … Continue reading Salazar to Champion Working Class Austin →
- English To Cut Homeowner Tax, Rein in Growth May 9, 2014 - City Council District 7 candidate Ed English proposed to cut homeowner taxes, listen to constituents, and bring “Change” to City Hall at an election campaign kickoff Friday afternoon. English’s kick-off was the first of the campaign season. About 30 people attended. Candidate Pete Salazar holds his kick-off Saturday, with Jeb Boyt’s on 5/20 and Jimmy … Continue reading English To Cut Homeowner Tax, Rein in Growth →
- City Council Campaign Kick-off Events this Month May 8, 2014 - Several District 7 City Council campaigns formally kick off this month, in celebration of the start of fund-raising season. Ed English leads with an event tomorrow (Friday May 9). Pete Salazar follows on Saturday, and Jeb Boyt will hold his on May 20. Jimmy Paver may hold an event this month as well. Check back … Continue reading City Council Campaign Kick-off Events this Month →
- Austin Energy Rates Punishing Small Businesses May 7, 2014 - by Don Carlos Shepard II, M. Ed. Austin small business owner I noticed the element in your site’s candidate scorecard about encouraging small business. I’d like to share with you an important element that is driving small business out of Austin – utility costs. Year before last, the city changed its policy regarding small commercial … Continue reading Austin Energy Rates Punishing Small Businesses →
- AustinDistrict7.org Editorial Board Releases Summary of Candidate Scorecard May 6, 2014 - The editorial board of AustinDistrict7.org has defined the scorecard categories that it will use when evaluating candidates in the District 7 City Council race. The board identified eight issues, and two geographically-defined leadership categories: Livable Communities Public Safety and Health Affordability Housing Mix and Schools Transportation Infrastructure Environment and Open Space Business and Local Economy … Continue reading AustinDistrict7.org Editorial Board Releases Summary of Candidate Scorecard →
- Yes, I am a NIMBY April 20, 2014 - by Mary Rudig Editor, North Austin Community Newsletter Dear Austin Growth Machine, I get it, I do. The mayor, City Council, and CAMPO have written you a blanket check to do whatever you want to my city. I get that the lobbyists for RECA (Real Estate Council of Austin) are more important now than the … Continue reading Yes, I am a NIMBY →
- Jimmy Paver Enters D7 Race, Brings Small Business, Family Perspective April 19, 2014 - Paver Campaign Announcement Jimmy Paver, Development Director of Stepping Stone Schools and Allandale resident, has announced that he will run for the Austin’s District 7 City Council seat. A graduate of LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Jimmy is the former District Director for Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Legislative Director for … Continue reading Jimmy Paver Enters D7 Race, Brings Small Business, Family Perspective →
- NYT Story on Nationwide Housing Trends, Lack of Affordability in Urban Areas April 17, 2014 - Key takeaways from the article: Entire country afflicted by rising apartment rents Half of renters now spend more than 30% of their income on housing Demand for rentals rising as urban living becomes fashionable, more young people entering market, mortgage requirements tighter, middle class shrinking Builders focusing on high-end apartments, that do little in short-term … Continue reading NYT Story on Nationwide Housing Trends, Lack of Affordability in Urban Areas →
- City Council to Vote on Neighborhood Planning for All of North Central Austin April 7, 2014 - City of Austin staff have placed an item on the consent agenda for the April 17th City Council meeting seeking approval for new neighborhood plans in the Rosedale, Allandale and North Shoal Creek neighborhoods, and for revised neighborhood plans in Brentwood, Crestview, Wooten and Highland neighborhoods. Highland neighborhood is in District 4. Most of Rosedale … Continue reading City Council to Vote on Neighborhood Planning for All of North Central Austin →
- District 7 Candidate Update: Leffler Not to Run, Paver Considers March 28, 2014 - District 7 is proving to be one of the busier city council races. Potential candidate Ben Leffler has announced that he won’t be running for office this time round. Meanwhile, Burnt Orange Report is listing Jimmy Paver, development director for Stepping Stone Schools, as another potential District 7 candidate. http://www.burntorangereport.com/page/AUSTINCITYCOUNCIL
- Five Challenges as North Shoal Creek Undertakes a Neighborhood Plan March 15, 2014 - by Steven Zettner, Editor North Shoal Creek neighborhood begins its neighborhood plan this year. The City of Austin will be looking to add more housing along the neighborhood’s edges in pursuit of Imagine Austin’s ‘Compact and Connected’ and affordability goals. The process is an opportunity to solve some problems, but it is also fraught with … Continue reading Five Challenges as North Shoal Creek Undertakes a Neighborhood Plan →
- My Neighborhood Is Pretty Amazing, Just the Way It Is March 12, 2014 - by Jennifer Paris Allandale resident The essay “What Happens When a Bunch of Rich People Move into our Neighborhood” really caused me to think a lot about what is important to me as far as our quality of life goes. I don’t think that I’m the person who has to solve Austin’s affordability issues, or … Continue reading My Neighborhood Is Pretty Amazing, Just the Way It Is →
- Taking the Pulse of District 7 Residents – Interviews in North Star Neighborhood March 11, 2014 - What’s important to residents of City Council District 7, and what do we think about key issues? To find out, AustinDistrict7.org went to the North Star neighborhood, a surrogate for several neighborhoods between Braker and Parmer. We block-walked single-family homes in the neighborhood, collecting a dozen quick-hit interviews. Geographically, North Star (2010 census tract 18.50) … Continue reading Taking the Pulse of District 7 Residents – Interviews in North Star Neighborhood →
- Sparks Fly As CodeNext Zoning Rewrite Enters Second Year March 4, 2014 - CodeNext, Austin’s wholesale reform of zoning laws, enters its second year with competing input on what development rules should change, and even how the rewrite process itself should happen. As expected, the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) is proposing a “clean slate” approach that overturns almost all existing rules, with the intent of making … Continue reading Sparks Fly As CodeNext Zoning Rewrite Enters Second Year →
- Public School Education in North Austin: A Shared Investment March 3, 2014 - by Ann Teich AISD Board of Trustees, District 3 Recently, the Joint Subcommittees of the Austin City Council, AISD, and Travis County School and Family Work Group released a report with some recommendations for these three governmental entities. Those recommendations include using the CodeNext Project to promote family-friendly housing; creating a Families with Children Commission; … Continue reading Public School Education in North Austin: A Shared Investment →
- Council Candidate English Would Advocate for Local Priorities February 20, 2014 - By Ed English Candidate for City Council District 7 It is with great pride and anticipation of a bright future for Austin under a newly created structure for the Austin City Council that I announce to the citizens of Austin and City Council District 7 my decision to become a candidate for the position of … Continue reading Council Candidate English Would Advocate for Local Priorities →
- Travis County Should Invest Austin Tax Dollars In Austin Infrastructure February 17, 2014 - by Steven Zettner, editor For decades, Austin residents have paid county taxes that mainly fund infrastructure outside the city limits. That model made sense when growth was suburban. If growth is to be directed inward, the County’s investment model should adapt. Travis County candidates should speak to capital improvements priorities in their campaign messaging. The … Continue reading Travis County Should Invest Austin Tax Dollars In Austin Infrastructure →
- In Search of Urban Parks and Public Green Space February 14, 2014 - by Kat Correa, Crestview Park Committee The Crestview neighborhood has been working for years to get a neighborhood park established. Crestview has no public parkland and shares park space with neighboring Brentwood and the elementary school. But Crestview is just one central urban neighborhood suffering lack of public green space, and to date the city … Continue reading In Search of Urban Parks and Public Green Space →
- What happens when a bunch of rich people move into our neighborhood? February 13, 2014 - by Tom Linehan, Allandale If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Lao Tzu The rewrite of the City’s Land Development Code could mean changes for Allandale. Our neighborhood is predominantly zoned single-family, SF-2, and our average lot sizes are larger than most Austin central city neighborhoods. If the … Continue reading What happens when a bunch of rich people move into our neighborhood? →
- North Austin Civic Activists Discuss Priorities at Town Hall Meeting February 6, 2014 - About 60 neighborhood activists from throughout North Austin gathered for a Town Hall meeting January 28 to discuss political priorities for the new City Council Districts 4 and 7. Mary Rudig, editor of the North Austin Community Newsletter, organized the event. “Don’t Imagine Austin, Imagine Solutions,” Rudig said in introducing the agenda. She then described … Continue reading North Austin Civic Activists Discuss Priorities at Town Hall Meeting →
- Ed English Officially Announces District 7 Council Run February 6, 2014 - This just in from Ed English: “I made a firm decision to run for Council, District 7 today. I will be suspending my part time business effective Monday in order to focus on the race on a full time basis.”
- Alex Blum Offers 5-Point Program for District 7 February 5, 2014 - by Alex Blum Candidate for City Council, District 7 Platform Snapshot: Vote Blum this November for City Council District 7 to help make north Austin a GREAT place to live. What does G.R.E.A.T. mean? GREEN spaces are important to maintain Austin’s high quality of living, especially with the Parks and Rec mandate stating that all … Continue reading Alex Blum Offers 5-Point Program for District 7 →
- City Council Approves Little Woodrow’s Bar Permit, with Conditions February 1, 2014 - City Council early Friday morning approved a conditional use permit for the Little Woodrow’s bar at 5425 Burnet Rd, in a 4-3 vote supported by Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, and members Bill Spelman and Mike Martinez. Council members Laura Morrison, Kathie Tovo and Chris Riley opposed. Cole offered the motion to … Continue reading City Council Approves Little Woodrow’s Bar Permit, with Conditions →
- Jeb Boyt to Run on Affordability, Transportation, Accountability January 28, 2014 - by Jeb Boyt Candidate for City Council District 7 Running for District 7, I will talk about three issues facing Austin: affordability, transportation, and accountability. Affordability is our big challenge. Without affordability, much of what we value about Austin is in danger. We can’t keep Austin weird if we can’t keep it affordable. The old … Continue reading Jeb Boyt to Run on Affordability, Transportation, Accountability →
- More Candidates Emerge in District 7 Race: English, Blum January 28, 2014 - Two more potential District 7 City Council candidates expressed interest in seeking election this evening, at a Town Hall forum organized by the North Austin Community Newsletter. They are Ed English and Alex Blum. Blum told community leaders that the N Lamar area needs more police on the beat, and not just for “hotspots.” He … Continue reading More Candidates Emerge in District 7 Race: English, Blum →
- Little Woodrow’s – Big Precedent. The Consequences of Approving a Late Night Destination Bar on Burnet Rd January 28, 2014 - By Steven Zettner, Editor, AustinDistrict7.org This Thursday, Little Woodrow’s will request City Council to approve a destination bar and restaurant at 5425 Burnet Rd with weekend hours until 2 AM, few noise restrictions, and insufficient parking. On those merits, City Council should either deny the request outright, or impose careful conditions to address the project’s … Continue reading Little Woodrow’s – Big Precedent. The Consequences of Approving a Late Night Destination Bar on Burnet Rd →
- Little Woodrow’s Timeline January 28, 2014 - Bars that earn more than 50% of their revenue from alcohol sales must operate on land with special CS-1 zoning. They also need a conditional use permit that may impose conditions for operation. Rick Engel, the Little Woodrow’s owner, started out over a year ago by seeking the rezoning to CS-1. Brentwood Neighborhood Association and … Continue reading Little Woodrow’s Timeline →
- My Neighborhood’s Character is Great for Children January 26, 2014 - by Heather Way Which Way Austin 1/24/2014 Austin’s CodeNEXT team (the team that is leading an overhaul of the City of Austin’s land use code) is currently conducting an assessment of our city’s community character. The team wants to know what the Austin public values about our neighborhoods, favorite places, and opportunities for improvement, with … Continue reading My Neighborhood’s Character is Great for Children →
- The Domain in Photos: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly January 24, 2014 - by Steven Zettner, editor Perhaps more than any other issue, most of District 7’s neighborhoods share North Burnet Gateway as a common opportunity and risk. As goes Austin’s second downtown, so too shall go the adjacent neighborhoods. During the campaign I’ll be coming back to North Burnet Gateway several times. But I wanted to start … Continue reading The Domain in Photos: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly →
- Here Comes Rapid Buses on Lamar, Burnet January 23, 2014 - By Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle, Jan. 24, 2014 “If you give people good coffee and good tunes, they will park and ride.” In 1992’s ode to progressive Seattle, Singles, that’s how transportation planner Steve Dunne sells the idea of commuter rail. Replace coffee with comfy seats, and tunes with free wi-fi, and that’s how Capital … Continue reading Here Comes Rapid Buses on Lamar, Burnet →
- Booming Austin Sees Costs of Living Skyrocket January 20, 2014 - The Associated Press 1/05/2014 AUSTIN, TX — Austin is on a winning streak, amid twin booms in economic and population growth. But a published report Sunday says the city’s success has also made its cost of living more expensive – so much so that some longtime residents and recent transplants alike are being forced out. … Continue reading Booming Austin Sees Costs of Living Skyrocket →
- Austin Needs A Different Way to Prioritize Park Space Gaps January 18, 2014 - by Steven Zettner, Editor Availability of public space will strongly influence the success or failure of ‘transit-oriented’ development now emerging throughout the city. A few years ago, City Council in response to a report of the Families and Children Task Force directed the Parks Department to draw up a plan to provide a park within … Continue reading Austin Needs A Different Way to Prioritize Park Space Gaps →
- Josiah Ingalls a prospective D7 candidate – Chronicle January 17, 2014 - Michael King’s updated list of potential City Council District 7 candidates now includes Josiah Ingalls, who ran for mayor in 2009 and for City Council in 2011. http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-01-10/come-one-come-all/
- NPR: Austin’s Traffic Is REALLY Bad January 13, 2014 - by Wade Goodwyn NPR, 12/17/2013 Four decades ago, Austin, Texas, had a population of 250,000 and a reputation as a laid-back oasis of liberal politics and live music. Today, the Austin metro area is home to 1.8 million people and has some of the nation’s worst traffic congestion. For years, the city has done little … Continue reading NPR: Austin’s Traffic Is REALLY Bad →
- What Does ‘Age Segregation’ Mean? January 11, 2014 - by Steven Zettner, editor Since the dawn of time and until the 20th century, communities were fully-integrated by age. In fact, anthropologists have concluded that human longevity reflects the positive influence of grandparents in raising the young and sharing wisdom in community decisions. Age balance, in short, was a survival trait. Perhaps that would be … Continue reading What Does ‘Age Segregation’ Mean? →
- The Shaping of District 7 – An Allandale Perspective January 11, 2014 - by Tom Linehan, The Allandale Reporter District 7 is shaped like a pork chop! Looking at the final draft of the city council redistricting map drawn up by the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC), the bulk of Allandale is in District 7 whose boundaries form a narrow band north of 45th Street between Lamar and … Continue reading The Shaping of District 7 – An Allandale Perspective →
- Burnt Orange Report on 10-1 Elections January 10, 2014 - by Katherine Haenschen The Burnt Orange Report Tue Jan 07, 2014 at 09:30 AM CST The maps are final, the candidate names are starting to circulate, and candidates can begin raising money on May 8, 2014. That means it’s time to start talking about the 2014 Austin City Council elections! With a potential 600% increase … Continue reading Burnt Orange Report on 10-1 Elections →
- Snap Profile – Boyt, Leffler Have Progressive Background January 7, 2014 - Potential Austin District 7 City Council candidates Jeb Boyt and Ben Leffler at first glance appear to bring similar progressive backgrounds to the campaign. Boyt, until recently an attorney with the State of Texas Attorney General’s Office, has been active for years in City of Austin policy processes, including the Parks board and most recently … Continue reading Snap Profile – Boyt, Leffler Have Progressive Background →
- Boyt, Leffler, Ingalls on Radar for District 7 Council Seat December 29, 2013 - The District 7 campaign is unofficially underway, with candidates Jeb Boyt, Ben Leffler and Josiah Ingalls considering a run, The Austin Chronicle reports. Article at http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-01-10/come-one-come-all/
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