The Sunday Survey, 6/6/10

Sunday survey: Low voter turn-out, empty public forums. Eh, at least there's a bit of pride somewhere in Austin

So much for the people's republic of Austin. As the Sunday Survey shows, this week Austinites were given opportunities to get involved in major public issues, and stayed home instead.

Early voting in the Austin Community College and Austin ISD elections began on June 1 with a stunning 0.07% turnout. By June 5 the rate of voting had accelerated to a still-disappointing 0.54%.

Meanwhile, a grand total of four people turned out for CapMetro's public budget workshop at Little Walnut Creek Library. There is one more meeting at Carver Branch Library, Monday, June 7 at 6pm.

Meanwhile, worrying noises about a change in staff at City Hall on Friday: It was announced that Neighborhood Housing and Community Development head Margaret Shaw is being transferred to become a senior program manager in Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services. Was this an ex-city manager David Smith "jump before he could be pushed" moment? Seems more like it was down to clashes with City Manager Marc Ott's chief of staff Anthony Snipes (amongst others.)

The efforts to replace APD police monitor Cliff Brown are more consensual (that's Judge Brown to you.) On June 2 the city announced two public sessions about the search process.

Odds are that the final calculated attendance will be much better for this weekend's two big downtown events, Pride Weekend and Night of the Bat. However, Pride comes with some clouds over the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation's definitions of diversity, family friendly and charitable giving.

Oh, well, at least Adam West is glad to see everyone.