Jennifer Kim's Friends Live in Glass Houses

The key is sustainable growth. (0.00 / 0)

Our city is growing, it's obvious. But what we need is sustainable growth that takes into account the needs of Austin's various constituencies. In particular, we need to be mindful of the environmental impact. Higher-density living can be better for the planet, but it has to be done in a way that focuses on a decrease in energy consumption. That includes the planning and building process, too.

Randi's got a great track-record on energy issues and her website lists growth from the standpoint of the public good as her top priority. Her career in the non-profit arena, government, and business demonstrates that Randi's got the experience necessary to balance the many factors that impact growth in Austin, and I believe she's got the vision necessary to help us adjust as our city changes.

 

---

by: kath25 @ Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:15:28 AM UTC

Not true (2.00 / 1)

Even the worst, least green, high-density housing is still better for the planet than a green house somewhere like Allandale or Circle C from which the inhabitants must drive 15,000 miles per year.

Transportation essentially swamps everything else these days.

---

by: m1ek @ Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 14:51:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Randi Shade deserves progressive Democrats' support (0.00 / 0)

I'm not going to focus on Kim's flaws. They are well-reported elsewhere. I just think we need to move the city council back to the green progressive council it used to be with members like Daryl Slusher.

I see Randi Shade as in that mold. One look at her bio before running for office, compared to Kim's bio, shows Shade has better experience and more credibility to bring balance back to the council and to ensure that Austin's unique community and environment are preserved at the same time we continue to grow in a responsible manner.  

---

by: bda @ Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 03:41:27 AM UTC

glad shade is a dem ... (0.00 / 0)

but she's not one of the dems who's worked precincts. and she's new to city issues, too. has she served on any boards or commissions?

randi is coming in as an outsider, but playing like she's an insider, using her many friend & business connections to polish up the veneer.

but with council facing issues of real complexity, I want someone who already knows how things work (some learned the hard way, as we know), rather than a candidate new to city processes.

jennifer has the moxie and the experience to stand up for neighborhood and environmental concerns. jennifer has been tested, and randi hasn't, and knowing the fiscal issues we'll soon face, this city can't afford to train someone new.

---

by: wings @ Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 23:45:19 PM UTC

Jennifer's skills (0.00 / 0)

1.  Holding finger up in the wind to determine where she stands on an issue.
2.  Looking out for Jennifer.
3.  Demanding special privileges for herself.

---

by: Jobu @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 05:35:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nah... (0.00 / 0)

if that were the case, she would have voted differently on the Phase 2 TIP. You're wrong. Try again.

I don't really know where Amy's going with all this. Matt's post was about Toll connections which Randi hasn't been real clear about (though I did enjoy talking with her during the Q&A at SDA/ALGPC). Jennifer doesn't have those and has been consistent on the issue.  

---

by: McBlogger @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 20:14:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Alternaive to Voting for Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade (3.00 / 1)

Ken Weiss running for Austin City Council Place 3

**** He is running against Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade. ****

Did you know that ....

Ken Weiss has lives in Austin Over 38 years! Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade combined have not lived here longer than Ken Weiss.

Ken Weiss has operated two small family businesses right here in Austin. Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade can talk about their dot coms all day long but they were not here in Austin.

Ken Weiss went to school here. He attended Pflugerville School District, ACC, Concordia University and is working on a Masters in Business.

Ken Weiss has served in the Texas Army National Guard as an officer for over 5 years, right here in Austin. Can Jennifer Kim or Randi Shade say they have military experience?
Ken Weiss was in charge of all the shelters in San Antonio during Katrina. Ken Weiss was their for the victims when they stepped off the bus at 3a.m. in the morning with nothing but the clothes on there backs. Ken Weiss helped the victims find food, shelter, clothes, medical care, and future housing after the shelters closed. Where was Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade when all this was going on?

What Ken will do for Austin?

- Ken is working hard to protect the environment. He knows the challenges that small businesses face and wants to help them succeed in Austin. He will make sure that Austin remains safe by providing the equipment and personnel the city's protective services need including Ems, Fire, and Police. He will work hard to keep Austin's highways free and from not turning into toll roads. Ken will also eliminate waste from the city budget and by doing so will save you tax dollars!

Ken Weiss loves Austin! Ken Weiss grew up here, went to school here, and lives here. It you love Austin as much as Ken Weiss does, then you'll help him win place 3, where he can make the decisions that are best for Austin, its' neighborhoods, and its' citizens.

You can help right now by making a contribution, volunteering and then on May 10, 2008 vote for Ken Weiss. With the help of concerned citizens like you, we can make Austin truly a better place for all to live!

"The Citizens don't want or need another politician to run Austin. What Austin needs is someone with the proven business sense and leadership skills that I have shown to get the job done efficiently, effectively, and economically." Ken Weiss

Let's change city government and make it responsible to the citizens of Austin!
If you like these ideas, tell your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors about me!

Visit the Website @ weissforplace3.com

---

by: Purple Junkie @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 07:11:37 AM UTC

Ken Weiss (3.00 / 1)

I sure hope that the BOR give Ken Weiss a chance!

Running for Place 3

Ken Weiss
Jennifer Kim
Randi Shade

Visit the website at weissforplace3.com

---

by: Purple Junkie @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 07:18:15 AM UTC

Jennifer's Friends (0.00 / 0)

I thought it was sophomoric to typecast Randi by a sliver of her list of supporters and suggesting it lacked real community leaders.  I think the same of this posting re: the list of Jennifer's RECA supporters.  Some readers might be surprised to learn how much financial & political support some RECA members give to low & moderate income economic development, progressive political action, education, affordable housing and other philanthropic initiatives to make Austin an even better place to live, work & play.  We've got to stop seeing each other as enemies but as potential partners, as collaboraters.  Sure, there are some bad players (camouflaged as progressives sometimes too).  

---

by: EugeneS @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 13:15:40 PM UTC

ADDENDUM (0.00 / 0)

I realize Amy is only sighting the list in example of the test earlier used against Randi. My point being, a sliver of any list of supporters, or the immediate classification of RECA members or all developers, as an acid test is an oversimplified and often inaccurate measure.

---

by: EugeneS @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 13:24:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Clarification (5.00 / 1)

My original post was meant to ask a question.  I thought it was concerning that the entire toll road lobby was supporting Randy and I was hoping for Randi to engage the BOR community to explain these ties.

It was the same request I made in December, January, and February.

It should be made clear that my post was meant to get people to respond and instead every post about Randi has called me out by name and implied I am a bad person or in some cases not a real progressive.

That's ok, but rather than answer questions, Randi's campaign continues to be on the attack (of both Jennifer Kim and her supporters).

The reason I support Obama is the same reason I support Jennifer Kim... it is time for politics to be about more than divisiveness.

Help build a progressive movement in Texas. Join Progress Texas.

---

by: Matt Glazer @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 13:58:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Divisiveness (1.00 / 1)

"Divisiveness" might as well be Kim's middle name.  Her inability to communicate with other people like a normal human being is astonishing for someone like her who has been desperate to get into public office for well over a decade.

From her requesting special privileges from the airport and the police to requiring city staff to clean up her dog's poop at City Hall, she's shown that she clearly thinks she's on one side of a divide from people she thinks are inferior to her.

---

by: Jobu @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 14:39:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Case in point (3.00 / 1)

I appreciate your comment but it also kind of proves the point.  I wish we could talk about issues-- affordable housing, toll roads, protecting our aquifer, etc.

So far BOR has been very good about putting endorsements up, talking about issues, giving fair coverage, etc.

This is an important election and could very easily determine the direction of our city for the next decade so we are all doing a disservice to who ever we support by refusing to talk issues and simply attack people.  Regardless of who wins, every candidate running this cycle deserves more than sniping.

Help build a progressive movement in Texas. Join Progress Texas.

---

by: Matt Glazer @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 15:18:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's hard to say with Kim (0.00 / 0)

It's hard to discuss issues regarding Kim because her stance on issues is purely based on political expediency and furthering her own ambition.

In 2005 she takes RECA's money and tried unsuccessfully to stop the construction of Town Lake Park at RECA's behest over the wishes of the surrounding neighborhoods (I live in one of them).  She also takes money from the toll road lobby in 2005 after initially saying she wouldn't and told Linda Curtis at the time the reason was, "We really need the money."

Now she's pro-neighborhood and anti-toll road?  You can't believe anything that comes out of her mouth and that's a relevant issue in electing someone who "...could very easily determine the direction of our city for the next decade..."

 

---

by: Jobu @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 16:00:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Northcross (0.00 / 0)

She also flip-flopped on Northcross, and pulled the shenanigans with the new city manager choice, don't forget.

She's made me change my view of a couple of other city council members from inveterate panderers to rocks of stability. That's a pretty big achievement.

---

by: m1ek @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 16:18:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

eh... (0.00 / 0)

what? So she made some stupid mistakes and came off looking like a retard? Are you really telling me Randi's never done the same thing?

Hell, everyone on the damn council has at one time or another acted an asshole. That's hardly a reason to vote against them. Electeds always think their office (and they themselves) are more important than they are. Then they have their little embarrassing moment and it gets pretty funny.

You know, I was pissed about the airport thing at the time. But Kim's really rejuvenated her image by doing the right thing over and over again.  

---

by: McBlogger @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 20:21:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not intended to you personally, Matt (0.00 / 0)

Matt, while I said the original posting against Randi was silly, I didn't say you were nor that most of your postings are.  You know I appreciate and learn from your columns.  I write to you about them often.

You did state that Randi lacked any real community leaders' support and you did cite RECA and GACC figures as reasons not to support Randi.  Nevertheless . . .

I agree, let's talk about issues - economic development, transportation, affordable housing, neighborhoods, education and social services.  I've worked with Randi on many of these issues.  She's good.  I've worked with Jennifer on some of these issues too.

---

by: EugeneS @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 21:19:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If you like your politicians with their fingers in the wind... (0.00 / 0)

Then Jennifer Kim is the way to go.

At this point I could care less about the right balance of progressive and business support. Two parts SOS to one part RECA...not important.

Jennifer Kim doesn't work for any of us unless it works to her benefit and often the biggest benefit to Kim is a campaign contribution.  

"There's nothing new except for the history that you don't know."
-HST

Justice Addict

---

by: Colin Kalmbacher @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 19:20:14 PM UTC

When will you be running again, Collin?<eom> (0.00 / 0)

---

by: McBlogger @ Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 20:21:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]