Wynn, Leffingwell Moved to Undiscosed Location

As a politician, you have to glad-hand a lot of folks, some unsavory. But how about the architects of the greatest foreign policy blunder of all time, the war criminals and stars of Oliver Stone's upcoming W., George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

The local boys are up there to receive accolades for their supportive treatment of employees returning from serving in Iraq (the darker side of which, coincidentally, you can read about in today's Chronicle). While in D.C., "Mayor Wynn will also hold separate meetings with President Bush, Vice President Cheney and members of the Austin Congressional delegation to discuss disaster planning and response in the ongoing wake of Hurricane Ike," according to a press release. But what will happen if W and Vice sniff out Austin passed a resolution opposing the war? Awkwaaaaaaaaaaard … And that must be why Wynn punted on giving City Hall Hustle a quote on Sarah Palin in this week's edition.

The press release after the jump.

Wynn, Leffingwell to Accept Honor for Policies Supporting Military Personnel

Wynn to Meet with President on Hurricane Planning and Response

Austin Mayor Will Wynn and City Council Member Lee Leffingwell depart for Washington D.C. today, where they will accept a U.S. Department of Defense award honoring the City for its policies supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Mayor Wynn will also hold separate meetings with President Bush, Vice President Cheney and members of the Austin Congressional delegation to discuss disaster planning and response in the ongoing wake of Hurricane Ike. Wynn said that while local, state and federal governments have performed well together during Ike, he plans to call for a multi-jurisdictional analysis of the response effort to improve future planning and execution.

“Clearly, the sophistication of our planning and response has come a long way, and I couldn’t be more impressed with how City Manager Ott and his executive team have lead this very complex effort,” Wynn said. “But we can always make improvements. In particular, I plan to stress the need for quick federal financial assistance to our guests from Galveston.”

Wynn and Leffingwell will accept the Freedom Award Thursday evening on behalf of the City of Austin. The award is given in recognition of exceptional policies to support employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

The City is the only municipality and one of only 15 employers nationwide to receive the award – out of almost 2,200 employers nominated. Austin was nominated by two of its employees for policies including retirement credit for military service, military supplemental pay and comprehensive health care benefits.

“We place a high value on the men and women who work for the City and who also answer the call for our nation. This award helps recognize the tremendous value of those employees,” said Leffingwell, a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Leffingwell led the effort to create the position of Veterans Consultant within the City of Austin and to ensure that the City’s policies for employees Guard and Reserve meet and exceed federal standards.