Parish
McCracken Much Better Than Leffingwell
RECEIVED Thu., April 23, 2009
Dear Editor,
I read the news about the Chronicle endorsement of Lee Leffingwell for mayor and was immediately filled with sadness [“'Chronicle' Endorsements,” News, April 24]. In my 13 years as a resident of Austin, I have never felt so alienated from the Chronicle editorial staff.
We are at a major crossroads as a city. Our economy is crumbling, unemployment is rising, and it's likely only going to get worse. The Chronicle endorsed Leffingwell on the strength of his steadfast nature and experience, calling him a stodgy father figure.
I do not want a stodgy father figure as mayor. Austin needs an energetic leader.
In contrast to Leffingwell’s lack of a plan for weathering the recession, Brewster McCracken has actively been pouring himself into recruiting new industries to come to Austin. In the last year, he chaired the city’s emerging technology committee; he led the effort to create the Pecan Street Project, arguably the nation’s most significant clean energy research organization; he has recruited stimulus funding for a smart-grid energy system; he worked with UT to create a biosciences incubator; he worked to accelerate bond funding for Austin Studios; and he recruited solar, medical device, and video-game companies to come to Austin.
Leffingwell has argued to “hunker down” and ride out the recession. The cities that recruit new business and stimulus funding will be the ones that emerge from this recession stronger. The ones that hunker down run the risk of withering and dying.
My letter is not just to express my disappointment toward the Chronicle staff. It’s a call to action for everyone who doesn’t want to see Austin wither away in this recession to vote for McCracken. Not just that, but get involved in the campaign, and tell all of your friends using any means that you have to vote for McCracken.
The stodgy father figures and those who endorse them cannot win this war. If they do, Austin and a lot of what I love about this town run the risk of dying.
I read the news about the Chronicle endorsement of Lee Leffingwell for mayor and was immediately filled with sadness [“'Chronicle' Endorsements,” News, April 24]. In my 13 years as a resident of Austin, I have never felt so alienated from the Chronicle editorial staff.
We are at a major crossroads as a city. Our economy is crumbling, unemployment is rising, and it's likely only going to get worse. The Chronicle endorsed Leffingwell on the strength of his steadfast nature and experience, calling him a stodgy father figure.
I do not want a stodgy father figure as mayor. Austin needs an energetic leader.
In contrast to Leffingwell’s lack of a plan for weathering the recession, Brewster McCracken has actively been pouring himself into recruiting new industries to come to Austin. In the last year, he chaired the city’s emerging technology committee; he led the effort to create the Pecan Street Project, arguably the nation’s most significant clean energy research organization; he has recruited stimulus funding for a smart-grid energy system; he worked with UT to create a biosciences incubator; he worked to accelerate bond funding for Austin Studios; and he recruited solar, medical device, and video-game companies to come to Austin.
Leffingwell has argued to “hunker down” and ride out the recession. The cities that recruit new business and stimulus funding will be the ones that emerge from this recession stronger. The ones that hunker down run the risk of withering and dying.
My letter is not just to express my disappointment toward the Chronicle staff. It’s a call to action for everyone who doesn’t want to see Austin wither away in this recession to vote for McCracken. Not just that, but get involved in the campaign, and tell all of your friends using any means that you have to vote for McCracken.
The stodgy father figures and those who endorse them cannot win this war. If they do, Austin and a lot of what I love about this town run the risk of dying.
Tim League
Founder
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Founder
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
