As with any good return-from-the-dead scenario, the almost unexpectedly revived
SOS is again wreaking havoc and mayhem. When the citizen-passed initiative was
reaffirmed by the courts, supporters were vindicated and re-energized but some
of them are so excited they are ready to go too far (see this week’s “Council
Watch”). The morally correct choice for environmentalists is to oppose all development.
Development inherently corrupts the environment (though since the environment
is also changed by natural forces we could get into quite a discussion here).
Any retreat on development standards is a loss. Compromise is a way of losing,
but only in a pure, committed-to-the-environment sense. In the real world, the
question remains whether you are committed to yourself or committed to actually
working effectively to preserve the environment. The latter demands reasonable,
though often difficult, compromise; it requires creative, flexible thinking.
The former simply sanctifies the purity of your own moral position, but
ultimately, by taking extremes, you destroy your own position.
The question concerns how to treat the 70 or so development permits that were
approved under the CWOII, which was in effect from shortly after a court threw
out SOS until just recently when an appeals court reinstated it. The council
has been asked whether to honor these agreements with those developers or, in
true environmental/pure suicidal fashion, demand that all those developments be
re-approved under SOS.
Interestingly, this is especially a dilemma for former Chronicle
politics editor-turned-council member Daryl Slusher. As a writer for this
publication, there is little doubt that he would have supported making SOS
retroactive; a political columnist must operate by moral rather than pragmatic
standards. As a councilmember, Slusher is leaning towards not making SOS
retroactive. Some of his supporters call this a sell-out. Austin’s non-elected
moral legislators, the council regulars, are booing. But a politician’s
obligation is to do what is best for the city.
Slusher has been very effective his first weeks as a councilmember, growing
into the role of political leader, not abandoning his agenda but maturing into
it, realizing how not just to postulate but to achieve it. Making these
developers go through getting new permits will lead to endless litigation (if I
were a developer, I would sue) and, ultimately, Austin-bashing in the
legislature. There is an opportunity to preserve the environmental momentum by
moving forward and not turning back.
The council (and Slusher’s) position on this issue is correct. Making SOS
retroactive would be, at best, a pyhrric victory, given the attitude of the
courts and the legislature. The case may well be taken to the Supreme Court
where things could change again.
Austin has been accused — sometimes correctly — of too often changing the
rules once the game has begun. Despite certain people’s tears and hysteria, the
council must let these developments proceed under the rules to which everyone
has now agreed. This is a moment for the environmental community to compromise
and work towards an achievable future.
So far, this council has been a refreshing surprise in its apparent commitment
to be more concerned about the city’s needs than personal feuds and pointless
posturing. This is a very difficult issue and I don’t mean to be glib. But we
must move cautiously and deliberately towards our future, a future that
embraces and includes the whole community.
In the group of ex-Austin Chronicle political editors that includes Slusher we reluctantly add
Louisa Brinsmade. Brilliant, aggressive, and charming, Brinsmade expanded and
groomed the Chronicle‘s politics section, initiating coverage in many
different areas. She assembled a top staff and wisely led them. We regretfully
watch her leave as she embarks on a freelance career.
Brinsmade leaves us in great shape. Audrey Duff, who has been writing for the
Chronicle and editing “Naked City” now becomes Politics Editor. Amy
Smith becomes assistant politics editor and the merry crew of Robert Bryce,
Alex de Marban, Roseana Auten, Mike Clark-Madison, Chris Walters, and Hugh
Forrest are all still on board. We will miss Louisa but are very excited to be
working with Audrey as the section’s editor. The staff wishes Louisa our very
best in whatever she chooses to do.
The Sixth Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival is free to everyone this Sunday, August 25,
noon-5pm at Central Park, 38th and North Lamar. This event has become one of
the biggest salsa contests in the country — imitated by many — and it is
creatively directed by Robb Walsh. As always, this year boasts an amazing
lineup of judges and will feature music by Los Pinkys and Don Walser’s Pure
Texas Band (see the “Hot Sauce” section beginning on page 45 for more details).
This is a great sprawling party with literally dozens and dozens of hot sauces
available for sampling. The Festival is produced by Elizabeth Derzco for
Austintatious Events, and co-sponsored by Central Market, Shiner of Austin,
107.1 KGSR, and Guiltless Gourmet. n
This article appears in August 23 • 1996 and August 23 • 1996 (Cover).