Friday, May 13, 2011

Vote on Saturday

Saturday, May 14th is the election day for Austin City Council.  The ballot is very simple. There are only three races on the ballot and no other decisions to make.


Here is the sample ballot:


Place 1, Austin City Council

__ Josiah James Ingalls

__ Chris Riley

__ Roger Chan

__ Norman Jacobson

Place 3, Austin City Council

__ Kathie Tovo

__ Michael "Max" Nofziger

__ Kris Bailey

__ Randi Shade

Place 4, Austin City Council

__ Laura Morrison

__ Eric J. Rangel

__ K. Toby Ryan Hill


You must vote in your precinct on Saturday. Here are the most likely locations for the Gracywoods area. You can also go on-line for more precinct locations:

http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/20110514/polls.asp


258 McBee Elem. School

1001 West Braker Ln.
263 United Christian Church

3500 West Parmer Ln.
266 Senior Activity Center

2874 Shoal Crest Ave.
267 Great Hills Baptist Church

10500 Jollyville Rd.
268 Grant AME Worship Center

1701 Kramer Ln.
108 Copperfield Elem. School

12135 Thompkins Dr.
109 Parmer Ln. Elem. School

1806 Parmer Ln.
110 River Oaks Elem. School

12401 Scofield Farms Dr.
111 Westview Middle School

1805 Scofield Ln.
112 Dessau Elem. School

1501 Dessau Ridge Ln.

 

Please exercise your right and privilege to vote.


P.S. More people attended the Capital 10K marathon than are expected to vote on Saturday.  This is a sad statistic.  Gracywoods and North Austin, let's make a difference!


Francoise Luca

President, Gracywoods Neighborhood Association

 

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Friday, May 6, 2011

You are invited to our Spring Fling

May 7th - this Saturday

 

GWNA Spring Fling & and Potluck Dinner

What: Pot Luck Dinner in the park

 

Who: Neighbors in Gracywoods, Walnut Creek NA, Quail Hollow and apartment communities along Metric Blvd., families, friends and guests

 

When: Saturday, May 7th 6:30p - 8:30p

 

Where: By the water fountain in the North Star greenbelt. Bittern Hollow entrance of the greenbelt - under the power lines - next to the water fountain. (same as 4th of July parade)

 

Why: Meet great people. Enjoy tasty treats. Learn some dance steps from GWNA resident and dance instructor David Cantu, who will be demonstrating the two-step and the swing and giving us lessons!

 

Bring: A dish (cover dish, appetizers, chips/snacks or dessert) enough for about 6-8 people to share.

 

* * Bring a folding chair or blanket and drink. (No alcohol, please.)


* * Lemonade, tea, paper plates and utensils will be provided.

 

If you don't cook, no worries, store bought goodies are fine . . . or just come - watch and meet some fun people. Your presence is our treat.

 

For questions or to volunteer to help, please email us at president@gracywoods.org.

 

See you there!

 

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Monday, May 2, 2011

May Meeting & Early Voting

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).

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 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.