District 4 has a wealth of candidates, but only a handful of them brought in significant campaign contributions for the upcoming Council election. Greg Casar, the community organizer with the Workers Defense Project, pulled in just over $40,000, with a large number of donors, including a couple of labor unions. Casar lists 33,329 cash on […]
Local Politics
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Travis County developing first electronic/paper ballot voting system
The Travis County Elections Office is developing a new dual electronic and paper ballot voting system with an estimated price tag of $8.1 million. Despite County Commissioners’ cost concerns, County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, who is heading the effort, said Tuesday that it’s not the price tag that matters. The concern should be about getting other […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Ora Houston leads money race in City Council District 1
Two candidates are pulling away from the pack in fundraising to represent Austin’s African-American opportunity district, District 1. Ora Houston has raised the most money so far, solidifying her status as the presumed frontrunner. Houston has raised $29,173 through June 30, with $20,378 remaining after expenditures. Among her contributors are some familiar names, including Mary […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Former State Rep. Kitchen leads fundraising in District 5
Former State Rep. Ann Kitchen has greatly outpaced the other candidates in the race to represent South Austin’s District 5. Her contribution and expenditure report show she has raised more than $42,000 and lent her campaign $20,700. After spending nearly $40,000 she had about $23,000 remaining June 30, the final day of the reporting period. […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Adler takes big money lead over Martinez, Cole in Mayor’s race
Months before the mayoral field was set, those who opine on such things predicted candidates for Mayor would spend big money on the race. With four months to go, that only seems true for one candidate, attorney Steve Adler. Adler, who has never run for public office before, has to overcome the hurdle of being […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Almanza, McGhee lead in fundraising in crowded District 3 race
District 3, listed as the poorest among the city’s 10 parts, has produced a large pool of candidates vying to represent them. One of those candidates, however, has decided not to continue his race. Miguel Ancira, a senior coordinator for Capital One Bank, has decided not to run for the District 3 seat after all. […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Seven seek City Council seat for District 7
District 7 is a tale of two neighborhoods: one is an established North Central area sandwiched between two high-volume traffic arteries, and the other a more recently developed suburban region, still looking for the city to provide pools, parks and sidewalks. The district encompasses the Crestview, Allandale and Brentwood neighborhoods on the south, bounded by […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Residents say noise from CrossFit gyms disrupting neighborhoods
Brentwood residents whose lives are being disrupted by a new, noisy exercise trend are fed up, and they are looking to the city for help. Nikela Bryson addressed the City Council last month, explaining the problems created by two nearby CrossFit gyms. “This type of facility encourages dropping heavy barbell weights, flipping and banging on […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Republican voters likely to dominate District 6 elections
As Austin neighborhoods go, those drawn into District 6 are farthest from City Hall, certainly in distance, and perhaps in philosophy. In fact, District 6 is the only one of the 10 new political subdivisions that voted solidly Republican in the 2012 General Election. There was no fence sitting like in a couple of the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Austin Oaks PUD draws concerns from residents, Council members
Though still in its early stages, a new Planned Unit Development in northwest Austin is already furrowing brows. The Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development would be built on 31.37 acres at the southwest corner of Spicewood Springs Road and MoPac Expressway. The plan is still a concept, but may include 610 town home and multifamily […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Old Austin meets new system in District 5
The area running south from Lady Bird Lake between Barton Creek and the Union Pacific Railroad line is truly “old Austin.” Not to be confused with “old money Austin,” but with comfy neighborhoods like Zilker, Barton Hills and Westgate with homes on tree-lined streets that may remind you of a well-worn cotton shirt. City Council […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Local Politics
West Lake Council orders investigation, goes silent on ethics case
est Lake Hills City Council took no action on ethics charges against former City Planner Davin Fillpot at its Thursday meeting. Instead, Mayor Dave Claunch said, the Council would have no more public discussion about the case. Attorney and West Lake Hills resident Chris Gunter filed an official complaint with the city in June, accusing […]