� November, here we come. Republican Gov. Rick Perry and Democrat Bill White both avoided run-offs in their March 2 party primaries. See more election coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections.
� Another one on the bend. With filing for the May 8 Austin ISD board of trustees election closing March 8, three returning incumbents – Cheryl Bradley, Vincent Torres, and Robert Schneider – already face challengers. Dianne Mendoza has filed for the at-large position being vacated by Karen Dulaney Smith.
� City Council held a special meeting Wednesday to consider incentives to attract Facebook and China-based solar panel manufacturers Yingli Green Energy to Austin. See “City Hall Hustle,”. Council holds its next regular meeting March 11. On the agenda: construction funds for the new animal center in East Austin and an agreement with San Antonio-based Lone Star Rail District to consult on urban rail.
� The Animal Advisory Commission has butted heads with city staff over how to make Austin’s animal shelters no-kill – specifically over those AAC recommendations staff didn’t accept: the fate of the Town Lake Animal Center, outsourcing adoptions to nonprofits, and a euthanasia moratorium. Council’s Public Health and Human Services Committee voted Monday to have staff work with the AAC to restore its recommendations.
� The Public Safety Commission took up the Austin Regional Intelligence Center again this week. A fusion center designed to share law enforcement data between local and state agencies is expected to go live later this spring; privacy advocates are concerned about the ramifications. A community forum is planed for next week; see “Res Publica,” for details.
� After public outcry and the release of some embarrassing internal e-mails, the Texas Union board has delayed any decision over the fate of the Cactus Cafe until the end of April. See “UT Cuts,” and “Off the Record,” for more.
� In a tiny step to redress a massive wrong, Gov. Rick Perry pardoned Timothy Cole just one day before the primary election – and two months after Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a legal opinion supporting a pardon, a year after DNA evidence exonerated Cole, and a decade after Cole died in prison. See “Naked City.”
� Call him Mayor Maynot: Complete with a new nickname, Mayor Lee Leffingwell, with Texas Rollergirls Lucille Brawl (l) and Vanna Whitetrash, blew the whistle Sunday at the first bout of the Texas Rollergirls’ home season.
� Calling iPhone users: After heavy criticism about dropped calls and spotty service during last year’s SXSW Interactive Festival, AT&T has announced it will add extra bandwidth and temporary towers during this year’s Festival, which starts March 12.
Quote of the Week
“I could not be more tickled that Rick Perry is their nominee.”
– Travis County Democratic Party Chair Andy Brown
This article appears in March 5 • 2010.