We could not limit this week's "City Hall Bytes" to one short clip. There is very little for us to say, to editorialize, except that while the level of subterfuge that seems to have characterized Austin's handling of this is high, the strong, rational, and united response on the part of the outraged voters is certainly equal to the task of overcoming that subterfuge.
The City Council will be taking this up again on Thursday, August 28. So if you live in Austin and are concerned about the effect a $2.3billion "pig-in-a-poke" will have on your cost of living in this city, contact City Hall and try to attend the meeting.
We'd also like to say that this issue proves something we've always said: if enough people participate in the democratic process, it is completely unnecessary to promote a "party line" as the only acceptible expression, because the process itself will produce a balanced expression. It is also apparent from the intelligent, reasoned opposition here that the ugly personal rancor of party politics is not necessary to show strength of opposition in local government.
More people need to participate in watching and responding to City Hall, week-in and week-out. It is not hard to do. Austin City Hall provides the material to which we link in our sidebar for your convenience and we'd also like you to know that you can get the full version of the City Hall videos from the Austin History Center.
If even only a third of the population takes the time to track specific issues, a strong democracy will naturally result. Right now less than a tenth are doing this. We need to see that change: no matter what your politics are, make sure you are registered to vote and check in on what is happening in City hall at least once a month!
If you choose to use The Austin Egalitarian as your check-in point, we are gratified. Send an email to theaustinegalitarian--at--gmail--com (you know to put in the @ and dot) and we will be happy to send you a note whenever we update the clips. Let your friends know, too. And don't hesitate to add your comments. We are reaching a growing readership and we don't require log-in to comment. If we have to delete any comments, a note will show that we did (we don't control that) and we would only delete the kind of cussing foolishness that is as pointless as it is offensive, anyway.
Vote Obama/Biden!
Democrats Nationally, Libertarians Locally!
Given the incredible road the Republicans have led us down, it is not enough to defeat them. The Republican Party must be replaced.
They have betrayed every principle they ever claimed. Because of the Republicans, we no longer are a free nation. We wage war at a dictator's pleasure with a military that has been trained to torture prisoners, and John McCain wants to bring soldiers directly from those battlefields into our schools as teachers with no training into education, no civilian credentials.
We see a pair of demogogues more ignorant than George W Bush and more hateful than Adolf Hitler himself in the person of Sarah Palin, who was picked by John McCain to promote hatred, ignorance and violence with every speech she makes.
In Obama & Biden we see a steady-headed young man and an experienced leader who understand the gravity of the office they seek. We can trust them not to play lightly with national responsibility and global security.
The Libertarian party is small, and needs to grow. If it grows, it will bring back the common sense of personal freedom that can balance the programs that serve the public good.
Paul Robbins, Rebuffed, Calls For Public Hearing On Voter Access
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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City Council Approves $2.3 Billion Biomass Project, 7 to 0
Who Is Getting The Money?
Baycorp Holdings of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.According to an article in Business Wire, "BayCorp is an unregulated energy holding company incorporated in Delaware. BayCorp currently has wholly owned subsidiaries that include Nacogdoches Gas, LLC, which owns and develops interests in natural gas and oil production in Nacogdoches County, Texas; Benton Falls Associates, L.P., the owner and operator of a hydroelectric generating facility in Benton, Maine; Great Bay Hydro Corporation, which owns and operates a hydroelectric generating facility in Newport, Vermont; Great Bay Power Marketing, Inc., which purchases and markets power on the open market and Nacogdoches Power, LLC, which owns the development rights to the Sterne Power Project in Nacogdoches, Texas. BayCorp also holds a majority interest in HoustonStreet Exchange, Inc., which operates HoustonStreet.com, an internet-based independent crude oil and refined petroleum products trading exchange. Sloan Group Ltd. is a privately-held international business corporation headquartered in the Bahamas."
Paul Robbins and Skip Cameron Fought Hard
Austin, Texas: Aug. 28, 2008:After hearing more objections from Austinites and hearing one clarification by Austin Energy that the contract is "take and pay", not "take or pay", the City Council moved to approve. Councilor Cole asked that discussions be set up with American BioRefinery, one of the companies who complained of the aborted bidding process, but she did not mention the other companies. Councillors Shade and Morrison commented on the process having been less than perfect. In other business, City Council moved to make inquiries into campaign and electoral practices. See videos from the earlier meetings below and in the sidebar.The $2.3 Billion Potlatch, August 21, Part 1
In which the Judge assures the Mayor nobody is opposed, and the Mayor complains that won't be any fun...
August 21, Parts 2 & 3
| In which Ms. Davenport assures the Mayor there's going to be a lot of fun and a retired engineer pours ethanol into the slots... | |
Parts 4 & 5In which Paul Robbins discovers he's on the other side and Bill Bunch asks a question... | |
Parts 6 & 7:In which the Company's Consultant talks about the voices in his head and the Company's banker says 75 of his friends love the idea... | |
Parts 8 & 9:In which Mr. Cameron smells gas and Mr. Groton shines a light into the fog... | |
City Hall Bytes
more video soon... please subscribe to theaustinegalitarian --at-- gmail-dot-com for updates!
Requiem for the Arts in Austin
Articles 59 and 30 brought public comment that signalled a complete take-over of all artistic activity in Austin by a new division.
Coincidentally, a group of artists from the Renaissance Faire on "The Drag" at 23rd street showed up to protest having been given notice 2 days ago that their commission is being abolished. This group says it has paid for its space and generated income to the city, taking only 80% of its proceeds and paying its own way. Participants have paid $200 a year for their space. The Council postponed the decision for a week, but their discussion with Commissioner Klineman, who spoke on behalf of the Rennaisance Faire, did not suggest any reversal should be expected.
We also have heard from a source that the Austin Figurative Gallery on Chicon Street is closing down as of Sunday, on very short notice and without explanation. That is an independent artists group that has not taken any City money. Is something suddenly afoot in the arts community?
Update, 6/21/08: Dave Ohlerking said "the only way 'art authorities' can have any control over me is to offer free welfare-type money. I don't go for that. Horse barn days are over ....If we're patient all of this will end up good."
Regarding City hall, see posts below. Recognize that you can link directly to the City Clerk's posted agendas and minutes of all meetings in our sidebar links, and check Channel 6 for viewing schedules.
Coincidentally, a group of artists from the Renaissance Faire on "The Drag" at 23rd street showed up to protest having been given notice 2 days ago that their commission is being abolished. This group says it has paid for its space and generated income to the city, taking only 80% of its proceeds and paying its own way. Participants have paid $200 a year for their space. The Council postponed the decision for a week, but their discussion with Commissioner Klineman, who spoke on behalf of the Rennaisance Faire, did not suggest any reversal should be expected.
We also have heard from a source that the Austin Figurative Gallery on Chicon Street is closing down as of Sunday, on very short notice and without explanation. That is an independent artists group that has not taken any City money. Is something suddenly afoot in the arts community?
Update, 6/21/08: Dave Ohlerking said "the only way 'art authorities' can have any control over me is to offer free welfare-type money. I don't go for that. Horse barn days are over ....If we're patient all of this will end up good."
Regarding City hall, see posts below. Recognize that you can link directly to the City Clerk's posted agendas and minutes of all meetings in our sidebar links, and check Channel 6 for viewing schedules.
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