Pinthouse Pizza
Giving Thanks
RECEIVED Mon., Nov. 19, 2018
Dear Editor,
I am a little bit late on this but … Council Member Ora Houston kept a bunch of us old folks and disabled tenants safe at Gaston Place apartment complex, Housing Authority City of Austin, by her presence and interest. She came to visit us at our Cinco de Mayo lunch with tales about the hardships of East Austin home ownership, and when I told her about our front door lock had been broken for a year, and the parking lot tower light out for six months with six car break-ins, she asked me to keep her abreast of the issues. Apparently HACA ran out of money (this is where your affordable dollars go) to fix these, but when I sent admin an email with a cc to Ora, these got fixed immediately. I don't think she had to lift a finger, just her reputation and respect for her office helped us keep safe and our cars in one piece. Her aide wrote and asked what I wanted them to do since the Council does not run HACA, and I told them it was enough just for her to know. So I thank her now, and I thank HACA and the work they do understaffed as they are, and on a shoestring (especially since the big budget cut back seven years ago), when Congress ground to a halt. By the way, the lights are out again, but we do have a new door, and the apartments has been reconstructed.
Thanks to the Chronicle for keeping us informed. Can't wait to read about the new police contract with new transparency watch group/agency.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I am a little bit late on this but … Council Member Ora Houston kept a bunch of us old folks and disabled tenants safe at Gaston Place apartment complex, Housing Authority City of Austin, by her presence and interest. She came to visit us at our Cinco de Mayo lunch with tales about the hardships of East Austin home ownership, and when I told her about our front door lock had been broken for a year, and the parking lot tower light out for six months with six car break-ins, she asked me to keep her abreast of the issues. Apparently HACA ran out of money (this is where your affordable dollars go) to fix these, but when I sent admin an email with a cc to Ora, these got fixed immediately. I don't think she had to lift a finger, just her reputation and respect for her office helped us keep safe and our cars in one piece. Her aide wrote and asked what I wanted them to do since the Council does not run HACA, and I told them it was enough just for her to know. So I thank her now, and I thank HACA and the work they do understaffed as they are, and on a shoestring (especially since the big budget cut back seven years ago), when Congress ground to a halt. By the way, the lights are out again, but we do have a new door, and the apartments has been reconstructed.
Thanks to the Chronicle for keeping us informed. Can't wait to read about the new police contract with new transparency watch group/agency.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ruth Fischer