Daryl Slusher*
Age: 45
Occupation: Councilmember, writer
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photograph by Alan Pogue
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Reason for Running: "Where you formerly for years had the developers versus the environmentalists, some of the warring factions have reached some measure of peace. We supported the convention center, they supported the bonds out over the aquifer, we all supported the May bonds for East Austin ... We did what we said we were going to do -- we always said we could protect the environment and have a strong economy."
Chad Crow
Age: 22
Occupation: Congressional aide
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: Crow is "opposed to practically everything that is done by the Austin City Council." He chose to run for Place 1 because "Councilman Slusher exemplifies everything that is wrong with the way we run our city."
Dolores Duran
Age: 49
Occupation: Engineer,
City of Austin
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I choose to run for City Council, Place 1, because of my sincere desire to serve my community, the City of Austin."
Marcos de León
Age: 51
Occupation: Sales supervisor, former Travis Co. Commissioner
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I want to give a neighborhood voice. People come to me and say, 'We don't have a neighborhood voice in the council.' We're facing tremendous pressure with the expansion of the Convention Center, the new airport, downtown development. Inner city neighborhoods face being taxed out of our own neighborhoods. We have to have a voice."
Vic Vreeland
Age: 53
Occupation: Austin fire dispatcher
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "It is time for the citizens of Austin to take their city back ... Take it back from those who would annex citizens without their approval, cater to special interests,violate open meetings rules, terrorize small business, spend a million on a salamander sidewalk, invite federal intervention, global government, (and) invent phony 'smart growth' land deals."
Scott White
Age: 46
Occupation: Painting,
remodeling contractor
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I believe the biggest issues facing Austin are problems stemming from the rapid growth rate. ... I've been involved [as vice president and president of Delwood Neighborhood Association and a member of the Mueller Neighborhoods Coalition] because I am interested in the growth of Austin and how residents are affected."
PLACE 3
Jackie Goodman*
Age: 52
Occupation: Councilmember, former
day-care worker
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photograph by Alan Pogue
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Reason for Running: Goodman says she wants to continue work already begun during her tenure. "There are many more challenges that remain unfinished. This city must nurture a spirit of initiative and draw on everyone -- from large and small businesses, our higher education institutions, our religious community, and from every neighborhood -- to meet these challenges."
Alyssa Eacono
Age: 27
Occupation: Legislative aide
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I am excited about bringing a fresh voice to the council and look forward to serving my friends and neighbors."
PLACE 4
Beverly Griffith*
Age: 60
Occupation: Councilmember,
real estate broker
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photograph by Alan Pogue
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Reason for Running: "I have been working hard for three years for our kids, our environment, our neighborhood, and for efficient, effective, and open government. My vision for Austin is a city within a park, that has a dynamic, growing economy, and that preserves and protects what is unique and special about this great city."
Doug Alford
Age: 31
Occupation: Teacher, engineer
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I feel Austin's greatness is rooted in its ability to thrive as an urban community while offering its citizens a 'small town' way of life. The challenge before the city is to promote stable growth that fosters economic success for all of its citizens while preventing the dilution of Austin's personality and culture in the process. My sensitivity to quality-of-life issues, coupled with my educated eye on technological matters, allows me unique perspectives and skills that will serve Austin well."
Linda Dailey
Age: 37
Occupation: Nurse
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: Dailey believes future generations depend on "our ability to create healthier cities and communities." She says she wants to "enhance the quality of life for all residents [through] health-care reform, relief of traffic congestion, affordable housing, and responsible community development."
Jennifer Gale
Age: 38
Occupation: Temp worker
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photograph by Alan Pogue
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Reason for Running: Gale says she would support the Austin Police Department while holding it accountable to a high level of public service. "Far too many candidates have been overlooked over the years because of their lack of affiliation with money, or time to campaign."
Amy Wong Mok
Age: 46
Occupation: Communications consultant
Reason for Running: Mok says she wants to involve every community in the city's high-tech growth; set up mechanisms to inform and generate community involvement in future planning; provide a healthy and nurturing environment for our youth; and "maintain our quality of life by balancing growth and protection of environment."
Charles McMullen Jr.
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired auditor
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "I'd like to see the city get back to a more friendly attitude toward its residents," says McMullen, who listed among his campaign issues the implementation of a 'no kill' rule in city animal shelters, which would spare all animals not seriously ill or dangerous. "We spend millions to protect salamanders, but the salamander is never going to be your best friend the way dogs and cats are."
Hector Ortiz
Age: 36
Occupation: School supervisor
Reason for Running: Ortiz sums up his platform with the acronym ACT: affordability, children, and transportation. He says he wants to serve the entire Austin community as a councilmember. "Nobody should be content if they care for the entire community. Life is not peachy everywhere" in Austin.
Robert Stobaugh
Age: 43
Occupation: Airline pilot
Reason for Running: "The City Council forced Motorola out of southwest Austin and forced it to relocate out of AISD's boundaries, even though it would have complied with S.O.S. This deprived AISD of a much-needed tax base. This City Council is not very taxpayer friendly."
Ray Vrudhula
Age: 65
Occupation: Software business owner
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photograph by John Anderson
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Reason for Running: "As our local economy grows and develops, we must ensure that all our citizens are included. ... To be a great city, business and neighborhoods must work together to create an exciting, dynamic, and vibrant urban environment."
This list was compiled by Lisa Tozzi and Jenny Staff.
