Our Community is at a Crossroad

tried to ask him a question (0.00 / 0)

I tried to ask Raul a question tonight at the Central Austin Dems meeting and he was dismissive. Just wanted to hear his thoughts on the North East Austin landfill issue as I grew up in that area and my family still lives there.

Sure now that I'm home I can go one his website and read his position on "zero waste" but why not take the opportunity to talk to a voter on the spot. I'm not the kind of guy that wants to talk your ear off for a half hour, just a simple question. Bad form Mr. Alvarez.

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by: blake @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 02:58:12 AM UTC

I find that hard to believe (0.00 / 0)

That doesn't sound anything like Raul Alvarez. Every time I've ever encountered Raul he talks my ear off and is always happy to answer any policy questions I have. He's a great guy and he's exactly what we need on the Commissioner's Court.

I also just heard that Raul Alvarez actually out-raised the sitting incumbent in the race.

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by: ProgressiveValues @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 05:35:25 AM UTC

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maybe it was an off night (0.00 / 0)

IyWho knows. I checked out his website and he looks great but he certainly didn't want to give me 2 minutes of his time. I don't know if he didnt want to discuss the issue or what. Ive been unimpressed by previous leadership on the landfill issue so I was excited when he sat down across from my girlfriend and I and handed us flyers. I'll take your word for it and give him a second shot.

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by: blake @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:23:04 AM UTC

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re: (0.00 / 0)

Margaret Gomez holds close to a 4 to 1 cash on hand advantage over Alvarez. Alvarez raised $30,000 but burned through over $19k of it. Gomez has over $42k on hand, Alvarez has less than $11k.

Margaret Gomez has received 6 of 7 public safety endorsements and the South Austin Democrats endorsement.

She also counts Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, Austin City Council member Bill Spelman, and Constable Richard McCain as supporters. They are the only current elected officials to have endorsed in this race.

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by: David Mauro @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 06:38:45 AM UTC

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It's worth noting, however (0.00 / 0)

that despite her war-chest (she is the incumbent after all), and despite the power of incumbency that she was still out-raised by her challenger.

i wouldn't have imagined that the challenger would have over-come the power of incumbency to raise more money than his opponent

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by: ProgressiveValues @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 17:19:03 PM UTC

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Wrong (0.00 / 0)

Mike Martinez and Randi Shade both endorsed Raul, as did former elected officials Mayor Will Wynn and Betty Dunkerley. Of course, endorsements really don't mean much. A county commissioners race is all about hustle, and Raul is out-hustling Margo.  

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by: el_longhorn @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 19:56:53 PM UTC

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Welcome to our Community Mr. Alvarez (0.00 / 0)

As a former Pct 3 commissioner resident redistricted into Pct 4 in 2001, I glad you joined us in 2009 as a Pct 4 voter and resident.

So when did you and your wife move from Southwest Austin on Kandy Dr in Pct 3 to your house on Zaragosa in Pct 4? What were your major accomplishments as both an Austin City Council member and as an ACC Board member that benefited East, Southeast and South Central Austin that you now want to represent. Being a precinct official is a different task than being an at-large representative to elective bodies dominated by Central and Northwest Austin voters.

The four issues/challenges you listed above are a good start. So to compare and contrast the track record of you and the incumbent on these issues would be a good starting point for discussion purposes.

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by: ssuits @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 07:51:51 AM UTC

What's good for the goose..... (0.00 / 0)

I would appreciate it if this race becomes and stays about substance, not about carpetbaggering and other off-point accusations.  The carpetbagger charge is a distraction. Both Mr. Alvarez and Ms. Gomez are fine public servants and I trust either of them to represent me.

Your questions also apply to the incumbent.  What exactly has she done for Precinct Four residents lately?  Why is she finding it necessary now to introduce herself to the hundreds of new voters that have moved into the area along Riverside and elsewhere?  Is it because they represent an element with which she has not had to deal with before?

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by: badmcghee @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 17:28:48 PM UTC

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Funny (0.00 / 0)

I didn't realize people were not supposed to move once they bought or rented a house in Austin!

Raul pushed to close the electric plant in Precinct 4. It was scheduled to be closed for the last 20 years, but the deadline kept getting extended. He put his foot down and gave Austin Energy a hard deadline to close the plant. That was huge for Central East Austin and Precinct 4.

Also, getting the Mexican American Cultural Center built was a big accomplishment of his. It was another project that kept getting delayed. He got it done. Big benefit to the residents of Precinct 4.

What has Margo Gomez done?

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by: el_longhorn @ Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 20:03:16 PM UTC

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