Austin – Page 6 – End of Silence

Vote, dangit!

Sep 122003

If you’re a Texas resident and haven’t already, you need to get out and vote tomorrow. I know it’s just boring propositions and amendments to the Texas constitution, but some of them are important.

The much debated Proposition 12 is probably the one that will generated the most attendance. I came at this one with an open mind. It addresses an issue that’s a hot topic across the nation, medical malpractice and the cost of malpractice insurance. My father’s a surgeon and his malpractice insurance has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. You’d think that’d make me an immediate supporter of prop. 12. Nope. I definitely agree that something needs to be done, but this ain’t it. Feel free to do your own research and decide for yourself, googling "malpractice" and "cap" should give you a wealth of things to read both for and against. Burnt Orange Report has some good info on all of the propositions on the ballot (skewed to my viewpoint, of course). I generally agree with most of his recommendations, but will probably vote a little differently. Be sure to check out some more recent entries on the redistricting fiasco.

Time passes

Austin, Family No Responses »

Aug 222003

There’s an article in yesterday’s Statesman about a small business. The interesting part is that it’s in the house where The Boy was born. The article briefly mentions that it was a “midwifery”. I’m not sure that’s a correct application of the word, but whatever. It’s not the type of store I’d typically visit, but it might be interesting to go by and see what it looks like now. Shelley had a cool tradition of putting the footprints of each baby who was born there on the wall not long after they were born. The Boy’s were on the east wall in the back bedroom. I suspect all the footprints have been painted over in the interim. I think it’s been at least one other business in between this current shop and when Shelley closed down. Visit the link now as you won’t have access to the article after Wednesday due to the Statesman’s stupid online policy.

Redistricting and our park

Austin No Responses »

Aug 072003

There’s a rally this weekend against the redistricting crap that’s still going on here. I’m planning on attending. This blog has a pretty good collection of links about what’s been happening for those that are unfamiliar.

I attended a public meeting about the current status of the Mabel Davis Park cleanup project last week. I’m planning on writing a recap of what happened, but it’s a long and sordid tale. The short story is that the park was built on a landfill which wasn’t really ever properly contained and now it’s causing problems.

I may even register a domain name to keep news posted. I’ve got the email address of the guy who chaired the public meeting. He made a point to say that he doesn’t mind people checking with him for updates. He also mentioned making the powerpoint presentation that he showed us available online. I’m not sure if he’s done that or not. They’ve been pretty bad in the past about keeping the public up-to-date on what is happening.

Go Democrats – Redistricting rebellion

Austin No Responses »

May 132003

Texas House Democrats have decided to fight back against the Tom DeLay backed proposal to redistrict Austin and screw us out of a united voice in the US House. For once, the Statesman is providing adequate coverage. I’d like to commend my own rep, Eddie Rodriguez, and the other Austin reps for taking a stand in my name. I’ve sent an email to his office thanking him. Check the list of those who walked and do the same if you’re so inclined. They were pushed into taking rather drastic action and probably would like to hear support from their constituency.

Austin Redistricting Follow-up

Austin No Responses »

May 062003

I emailed Lloyd Doggett’s office to see if they had any more information on the redistricting. This is the response I got (note that there’s another meeting tomorrow morning for those who may not have work).

Thank you for your recent message regarding redistricting. As you may be aware, under the latest Republican redistricting plan, made public only this morning, the county is quartered: one part of Austin would be in a district stretching all the way to the Rio Grande, another in a district extending to the Gulf of Mexico. This plan all but ensures that no Austinite will represent our united community in Congress for years to come. You asked what you can do. Keep reading. Tomorrow, May 6 at 9am, the Texas House Redistricting Committee will be holding a hearing on this new plan. The hearing is scheduled in Austin in the Texas Capitol Extension, room E2.036. The exact starting time of the hearing is still unclear because of the legislative schedule, but you can call the clerk for the Redistricting Committee, Jay Yates at (512) 463-9948 to find out more about the time of the committee meeting. It is open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to attend. In addition to attending tomorrow's hearing, if you are represented in our state legislature by Senator Jeff Wentworth or Representatives Terry Keel, Jack Stick, or Todd Baxter, you can urge them to oppose this latest plan and maintain the current map. Their phone, fax and email addresses are available at: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/citizenResources/ContactLeg.html. If you have friends who live outside Travis County who share our concerns, they can call their representatives with the same message. In order to determine your representative, you can visit the website: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm. Also, once the bill hits the floor of the Texas Legislature, you should come and make your voice heard. Please feel free to contact my district office at (512) 916-5921 with any questions. I welcome your continued counsel on this important matter. Lloyd Doggett 201 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-4865, (512) 916-5921 www.house.gov/doggett

Austin Redistricting

Austin No Responses »

May 032003

I’m amazed that this didn’t get more press in the last few days. I’m especially annoyed at the Statesman which mentioned nothing about this in any of this week’s papers. Apparently, the GOP is trying to redistrict Lloyd Doggett out of a job and totally screw Austin in the process. Here’s the email that’s been going around…

Despite the many budget challenges faced in this legislative session, the Texas House is revisiting congressional redistricting. An unconscionable plan, that is purported to have been drawn by Representative Tom DeLay, would rip the heart out of Travis County and end Austin's representation in Congress.

** No Austinite will ever represent a united Austin again. ** They have attempted to draw a map so that Rep. Lloyd Doggett can no longer speak for us in Washington. DeLay's divisive Washington politics are now literally dividing Travis County: District 10, which Rep. Doggett now represents and includes 80% of the people of Travis County, is moved by Republicans completely outside Travis County. Instead, the district would stretch from Llano to the New Mexico border. Travis is then split three ways: (1) Rep. Lamar Smith (R) gets East and Southeast Austin, Hays and Comal Counties and part of San Antonio. (2) Rep. Ron Paul (R) gets Pflugerville, Manor, and the Northeast of Travis County in addition to much of his current district. (3) Rep. Henry Bonilla (R) gets the western half of Travis County, Blanco and Kendall Counties and part of San Antonio. This plan, secret until released by the GOP late Wednesday, removes Rep. Lloyd Doggett from Travis County and ensures that Austin has no one to champion its interests. This Tom DeLay "Life Tenure plan" ensures he will remain House Majority Leader for a decade, furthering his extremist agenda. What can you do? 1. Commit to attending the only hearing the House will have on this plan, scheduled for Friday, May 2nd, at 2:00 pm upon final adjournment and Saturday, May 3rd at 10:00 A.M. or upon final adjournment. Both meetings are scheduled in the Capitol Extension, Room E2.036. The exact starting time of the hearing is still unclear because of the legislative schedule, but you will receive an update on Thursday or Friday with more details about the timing. You can also call the clerk for the Redistricting Committee, Jay Yates at (512) 463-9948 to find out more about the time of the committee meeting. If you can attend the hearing, please contact the Travis County Democratic Party at (512) 477-7500. 2. Representatives Elliott Naishtat, Dawnna Dukes, and Eddie Rodriguez have spoken out against this plan that hurts Travis County. If you live in a district represented by Representatives Terry Keel, Todd Baxter, or Jack Stick, call them today and tell them to speak against this plan and for Travis County's best interest. Representative Terry Keel (512) 463-0652 Representative Todd Baxter (512) 463-0631 Representative Jack Stick (512) 463-0821 3. Call Speaker Craddick and tell him that you don't want the Legislature to waste its time on redistricting, but focus on the other important matters of this session. Urge him to drop the partisan politics engineered by Congressman Tom DeLay and to do what's right for Texans. Speaker Tom Craddick (512) 463-1000 4. Call and email friends and alert them that the GOP is attempting to cut Rep. Doggett out of Congress and urge them to attend the hearing.

Eeyore’s this weekend

Austin No Responses »

Apr 242002

For those of you in Austin, the big annual Eeyore’s birthday party in Pease Park is this weekend.

I’ve heard that some of you are having problems with broken images on the pic of the week page. It’s working fine for me from work and home, so I’m having a hard time tracking it down. I suspect it’s a caching problem on the client browser or ISP. If you’re having a problem and haven’t told me, please do. I’d like to figure this out. I’ve been slacking on any more coding for the last few days. I may get some stuff done tonight.

BTW, if anyone has any experience with dealing with utility companies who want to chop down your trees, email me. I think I’m about to have a throw down with Austin Energy over some of my trees.

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