Let me preface this article by explaining that I am returning to journalism after a 20-year hiatus, and so I apologize for not having caught everyone's name. I will try to grab what I missed during the Sunday video on Channel 6 and I promise each week will see improvement in my coverage. I will try to choose two or three topics each week that seem interesting, and anyone who wants to push this blog in a specific direction is welcome to help with comments.
Three outstanding issues before the City Council this morning were related to "quality of life".
#48: "...a resolution directing the City Manager to initiate amendments to City Code Chapter 5-1 ... adopting Visitability standards for all new single-family homes and two-family dwellings (duplexes). (Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley Council Member Sheryl Cole )..."
#18-19: "... to increase operating expenditures in the amount of $24,482 for summer youth employment stipends. Funding in the amount of $24,482 is available from the increased expense reimbursement revenue from Travis County...." and "... to fund and administer the Summer Youth Employment Stipend program for the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008 for an annual amount not to exceed $473,811 ($294,329 City; $179,482 County)...."
And another was #50: "...Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to identify areas within the upcoming fiscal year 2008-2009 budget to conduct facilitated community discussions of the Hispanic/Latino quality of life issues in Austin ..."
#48: David Witty of ADAPT described considerations of entrance size, slight-switch placements and bathroom grab-bars that are the main focus of proposed building codes. Mr. Alder, an architect, spoke for his organization and another gentleman spoke for the Homebuilders' Associations. Both were supportive of the proposals with one comment worth noting: the Homebuilders' speaker said they not given timely notice of the changes and would appreciate it if the Council would consider the amount of changes in regulation and market conditions they are coping with, and asked for a 60-day extension of study time.
#18-19 - Mr. Gus Pena addressed the Youth Employment funding, a long-standing program that serves to keep youngsters working and out of trouble for the summer. We'll be following this issue, because we'd like to see some of the young people visit this blog and tell everyone about their experience.
The center of the Council hall was filled with members of the Latino community who came to support the Hispanic study initiative, including Kathy Vasquez who spoke on behalf of the small business owners facing development and neighborhood change in the East side. Since this is an initiative to study what might be the needs and issues of that community, nothing very specific was addressed, but statistics concerning the population and future trends were noted: 34% now with a possible majority status down the road, family income between $35,000-$75,000, etc.
Mayor Wynn commented, in reply to a question that the cost of the Hispanic initiative would be in the vicinity of $700,000. The question was asked by Jennifer Gale, who opened with this rational question only to then launch into a rambling attack on the concept that somehow concluded that the Hispanic community would be destroyed by "selling out".... Nobody else spoke to balance her remarks, mainly because she was not on the roster to speak on this issue. She jumped in with her assertion that she was signed up, but that was for a different issue.
It was apparent to this reporter that Ms. Gale does not know what a "facilitated discussion" is. A "facilitated discussion" is one which is more or less moderated by people who can ensure that topics get covered and that participants don't confuse the topics with personal or irrelevant issues. A "facilitated discussion" should allow for some real solid communication because people will be able to say what is really on their mind about life in the Hispanic community in Austin and then all parties can come away with a much better understanding of each other, as well as mutual compassion.
The Austin Egalitarian will try to follow this initiative through its development and see how its best intentions turn out.
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
Thursday, May 8, 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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