Tuesday, May 3rd - Gracywoods Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting
Join us
Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at
Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ
11908 North Lamar Boulevard
(just north of Ross' Cafe)
Free parking, interesting topics and good neighbors.
MAY MEETING AGENDA
Spring Fling- Dance in the Park – May 7th
May 14th Elections
4th of July Parade
Crime Watch
EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN
Austin will hold local city elections on Saturday, May 14th ;
Early voting is between May 2nd- May 10th -At the Asian Shopping Center on North Lamar
This year's election will be for Place 1, 3 and 4. Candidates are:
Place 1: Chris Riley; Josiah Ingalls, Roger Chan, Norman Jacobson
Place 3: Randi Shade; Katie Tovo, Max Nofziger, Kris Bailey,
Place 4: Laura Morrison, Eric Rangel, Toby Ryan
Vote today!
Need a ride to early voting? Email us at: president@gracywoods.org
For more information contact the Travis County Elections Division at (512) 238-VOTE (238-8683).
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I VOTE tee shirts & yard signs
Remember those red tee shirts GWNA made for the protest rally? They're back!
We will have a few red tee-shirts available for $10 each. We will also take orders if we don't have your size. (Cash or Check), to order email president@gracywoods.org
and now . . .
Red & White "I Vote" yard signs
A limited number of yard signs are now available. Please pick one up at the neighborhood meeting. (A suggested donation of $3 per sign would be appreciated from non-GWNA members.)
To place orders please contact us at: president@gracywoods.org
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Why Should I Vote in Local Elections?
The decisions of city, county, school board, and community college officials, local officials, affect your daily life probably more than state and federal officials. They are the people who
· decide tax rates
· decide to build infrastructure like roads, sewage systems, and electrical lines
· determine new building codes
· decide zoning issues
· fund police and fire departments
· develop and maintain parkland
· fund economic programs for small businesses and industries that create jobs and revenue
· determine environmental policy (water, air, land)
· determine how to get rid of your trash
· help protect your neighborhood from crime and vandalism
· provide health and human services
· provide clean drinking water, water to clean, and water to grow your plants
· provide rules and enforcement to make sure you remain healthy in public environments
· decide the quality of education and workforce training
Who Are These Locally Elected Officials
and What Do They Do?
COUNTY
Travis County Commissioners Court (County Judge, 4 Precinct Commissioners)
Chief policy-making and administrative branch of county government: sets tax rate, determines fees for many county services, determines how collected revenues are distributed to provide county services
Travis County District Judges (17)
Preside over criminal (felony level) and civil cases
Travis County Courts at Law Judges (8)
Preside over criminal (misdemeanor level) and civil cases
Travis County Justices of the Peace (5)
Preside over criminal (Class C misdemeanor level) and civil cases (where amount in dispute is less than $200)
Travis County Probate Judge (1)
Presides over probate cases
Travis County Sheriff
Law enforcement within the county
Travis County Constables (5)
Serve arrest warrants, enforce all state and local laws (may arrest those in violation of those laws)
Travis County District Attorney
Prosecutes felony criminal cases
Travis County Attorney
Prosecutes misdemeanor criminal cases
Travis County Clerk
Tracks and maintains criminal misdemeanor, civil and probate records
Organizes and holds city, county, AISD, ACC, federal, state elections
Issues and maintains marriage licenses
Maintains and posts County Commissioners' Court meeting minutes
Travis County Tax Asessor-Collector
Assess, collect and disburse property taxes
Register and title motor vehicles
Register eligible citizens to vote
Travis County Treasurer
Provides for the safekeeping of all county funds, chief custodian of county finances
Receives, accounts for, and disburses all money belonging to the county
Paying agent/registrar for county registered bonds
Processes cash bail bond checks and juror payments
CITY
City Council
Mayor (at large)
Council Members (6 places, all at large)
Determines property tax rate to support city services and city budget
Decides city ordinances (taxes, zoning, solid waste management, code compliance, etc.)
Oversees Austin Police and Fire Departments
Hires City Manager
EDUCATION
Austin Indendent School District
Board of Trustees (6 district members, 1 at large member)
Determines property tax rate to support public schools
Hires superintendent and sets strategic goals for school district
Austin Community College
Board of Trustees (9 district members)
Determines property tax rate to support ACC
Hires president and sets strategic goals for community college district
Prepared by North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods, April 2011.
Contact: Ann Teich, Vice President of North Austin Civic Association, annteich@austin.rr.com.
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