Dear Editor,
What are you talking about “… phones ringing unanswered” in Council Member Houston’s District 1 office? ["
Chronicle Endorsements: City Council," Oct. 19.]
I have found CM Houston to be one of the most caring and responsive and informed council members that Austin has elected. In my books, she is right up there with Kathie Tovo.
When I called CM Houston’s office regarding flooding around schools in her district, I received a call back, asking if I could meet her in her district over tacos one evening soon. I was soon face to face with Ms. Houston discussing how Watershed Protection engineers have been working as hard as they can to allow building densely in the creek beds of Southeast Austin and causing dangerous, life-threatening conditions for the residents and their children. She said that we should also contact CM Renteria, because he had similar situations in his district.
CM Houston has supported Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, one of Austin’s oldest community bands, for rental fee waivers in Austin venues where we play free concerts. She specifically asked that we play more concerts in her district due to the transportation constraints on her residents. When I noted that ACWE had abandoned Carver and the Armory stages because we were falling over the edges, she told us about two new venues in local churches. We are exploring them for our spring concerts and are very thankful for her helpful tips.
In fact, I am sad to see CM Houston retiring, but support her decision to spend time on other missions that may be more satisfying. I wish her well and look forward to working with CM Harding.
I live in District 7 and primarily communicate with CM Pool and sometimes with CM Alter, whom I’ve also supported.