I'm particularly honored to receive these endorsements because they demonstrate a growing base of support behind my campaign. To receive the support of two vibrant and well-respected LGBT political organizations is tremendous, and I'm proud to be a continued advocate for these issues. While I may be four years too old to join CCYD, I'm glad that my track record on public transportation, environmental responsibility, and affordable housing is resonating so strongly with younger voters. I'm also honored to receive the endorsement of CAAAD. Austin's growing Asian population must be embraced and celebrated, and I will work hard to help the Asian American Resource Center come to fruition. I look forward to taking the time to travel 100 blocks north on Lamar to make sure that I'm engaging our Asian population and listening to your concerns.
Finally, I value the TED endorsement as a recognition of my long-time environmental stewardship. From founding Austin CarShare and the Alliance for Public Transportation to setting up a rainwater collection tank on my property, I am committed to our shared goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility, and will do all I can on our City Council to make serious progress on the environmental issues facing our city.
I'm also proud to currently list over 750 public supporters on my campaign website. These folks represent the diversity that I value so much here in Austin, and I'm so appreciative of their enthusiastic and positive support of my campaign. The issues I'm concerned about have an impact on our entire community, and I'm excited to see that folks from all corners of our great city are coming together to join me in moving Austin forward.
So, thank you supporters, endorsers, and friends. Together, I know that we can make real progress on the issues facing our city: the economy and environment, transportation, and protecting what we love about Austin. I'm excited to know that so many Austinites are already joining me in making progress on these issues, and look with anticipation towards the future and our ability to do even more.
(Chris Riley updates us on his campaign. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
It's been a busy few weeks since I last visited with all of you here at the Burnt Orange Report. While I've seen much of the readership around our city, I wanted to visit with all of you about some of the highlights from my campaign for Austin City Council Place 1.
These endorsements are also a recognition of the time and energy I've spent working to learn even more about the issues facing our city and build on my decades of work and service to the people of Austin. I've taken several ride-outs with various city departments, and enjoyed every opportunity to talk at length with our hard-working municipal employees.
So far, I've ridden in two fire trucks, a police car, an ambulance, and a garbage truck, and even spent an evening with APD's downtown bicycle patrol. Now, don't think that these ride-outs are just some means of alternative transportation, since I don't own a car. Instead, they're an integral part of learning how we can make our city work better for all of us, even in challenging times. I've enjoyed them all, and really appreciated listening to the concerns of the men and women serving our city.
Meanwhile, my public supporters list has grown to over 700 names, as Austinites from across our community join my campaign to move our city forward. I'm pleased to announce that folks like Kisla Jimenez and Jonathan Williams, owners of Tesoros Trading Company, disability activist Jennifer McPhail, and Peter Pfeiffer, one of our city's leading green architects, are all supporting my record of results for the people of Austin. The enthusiasm of my supporters is a constantly renewable source of energy, and I'm so grateful to have the endorsement of so many individuals concerned about our city's future. So whether I'm rolling from forum to meeting to community event or stopping to inflate your flat tire, know that I'm working hard to bring practical solutions to the serious problems we're facing.
Now, it's your turn to join us. Become a public supporter, request a yard sign, or come to an event. In the meantime, I look forward to talking with you about issues we're facing, and working together to make sure Austin continues to live up to the values of those of us who live here.
(Posted Perla's statement a little while ago, here's one from Chris. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I respect Rick Cofer's decision to withdraw from the race, however I will miss the opportunity to engage with him on the issues over the course of the campaign. Rick is a strong leader here in Austin who has already made an impressive mark on our city, through his work with the Solid Waste Advisory Commission and his involvement in our local Democratic groups. As a supporter of his Ban the Bags initiative, I look forward to seeing what he does next.
Rick and I have been working together on the formation of the Central Texas Zero Waste Alliance, an exciting new effort to get serious about reducing our environmental impact here in Austin. I know we will continue to see Rick at many community meetings and events, and I am confident that he will continue to be involved in working towards a better Austin. I will do my all to spread our shared vision of creating green jobs, encouraging sustainable economic development, and protecting our environmental resources.
Above all, I commend Rick for his unflagging desire to serve our city. His sense of duty to Austin extends far beyond this or any one campaign.
Thanks to over 250 Austinites who came out to our campaign launch party last Friday night at Threadgill's! I'm excited to see such strong early support for my campaign for Austin City Council Place 1. We're facing some challenging times right now, but I'm confident that I can help set our city on a positive course.
I have learned a great deal through my decades of work and service to Austin--as chair of the Planning Commission and Downtown Commission, co-founder of the Alliance for Public Transportation and Austin CarShare, and board member of the Austin Parks Foundation and Austin History Center Association, among others. Now, to bring the real changes our city needs, I'm running for Austin City Council.
My campaign is focusing on three key issues: the economy and environment, transportation, and preserving Austin's character. We need to create green jobs. We need to reduce our dependence on cars, and promote alternate forms of transportation. And we need to make sure that Austin lives up to the things we expect it to be: a place that provides secure homes to people across the economic spectrum; a place with a great arts and music scene; and place with a rich history that prides itself on tending to the needs of our whole ecosystem and all of its inhabitants.
Learn more about my ideas for Austin on my website, where I've posted detailed position papers.
Thanks so much for your enthusiasm. My public supporters list now includes over 500 names of folks in Austin seeking practical solutions to some serious problems. For those of you that were able to join us on Friday, thanks for your interest and engagement. For those of you that couldn't make it, I hope to visit with you and hear your concerns soon.
Please join us this Friday for the official kick-off of my Austin City Council campaign! Friends, supporters, and fellow Austinites are gathering at Threadgill's on Riverside as we embark on this journey. I'd like to visit with you as we chart a positive course for Austin in these challenging times.
Your ideas are important to our city. I will make citizen engagement a cornerstone of my time on the council, and will actively work to increase involvement of Boards and Commissions in policy decisions. You can read more about my views on citizen engagement on my website. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you on Friday!
Chris Riley Campaign Kick-Off Friday, January 23, 2009
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Threadgill's World Headquarters
301 West Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
RSVP Here
(Every mayoral and council candidate should make videos like Chris Riley and Bill Spelman have. Not only is it great to use other mediums, but you can post them on campaign sites, other sites, facebook, whatever! - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I'm running for Austin City Council to help set the city on a positive course in challenging times. After serving our city for over a decade, I've realized that the changes we need require strong action on the part of the City Council, and these actions can't wait any longer.
My history of proven leadership on city boards and commissions and work with non-profits has demonstrated that I know how to make a difference here in Austin. I've chaired the Planning Commission and the Downtown Commission, and co-founded Austin CarShare, the Alliance for Public Transit, and a neighborhood association. Now, I'm joined by over 350 prominent community leaders in my campaign for City Council.
As I embark on this campaign, I look forward to meeting with you. In the meantime, please visit my website, www.ChrisforAustin.com, to learn more about my campaign, and my vision for Austin's future.
So far, I've ridden in two fire trucks, a police car, an ambulance, and a garbage truck, and even spent an evening with APD's downtown bicycle patrol. Now, don't think that these ride-outs are just some means of alternative transportation, since I don't own a car. Instead, they're an integral part of learning how we can make our city work better for all of us, even in challenging times. I've enjoyed them all, and really appreciated listening to the concerns of the men and women serving our city.
Thanks to over 250 Austinites who came out to our campaign launch party last Friday night at Threadgill's! I'm excited to see such strong early support for my campaign for Austin City Council Place 1. We're facing some challenging times right now, but I'm confident that I can help set our city on a positive course.
